U.S. patent number 11,001,657 [Application Number 16/153,256] was granted by the patent office on 2021-05-11 for unbridged indacenyl metallocenes.
This patent grant is currently assigned to ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.. Invention is credited to Gregory J. Karahalis, Jian Yang.
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United States Patent |
11,001,657 |
Yang , et al. |
May 11, 2021 |
Unbridged indacenyl metallocenes
Abstract
The present disclosure provides novel unbridged group 4
indacenyl-containing metallocene compounds. The catalyst system may
be used for olefin polymerization processes.
Inventors: |
Yang; Jian (Houston, TX),
Karahalis; Gregory J. (Houston, TX) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc. |
Baytown |
TX |
US |
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Assignee: |
ExxonMobil Chemical Patents
Inc. (Baytown, TX)
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Family
ID: |
1000005548297 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/153,256 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190119418 A1 |
Apr 25, 2019 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62577046 |
Oct 25, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C08F
210/14 (20130101); C08F 210/16 (20130101); C07F
17/00 (20130101); C08F 210/16 (20130101); C08F
4/65925 (20130101); C08F 4/65912 (20130101); C08F
4/65916 (20130101); C08F 4/6592 (20130101); C08F
210/16 (20130101); C08F 210/14 (20130101); C08F
2500/02 (20130101); C08F 2500/06 (20130101); C08F
210/16 (20130101); C08F 210/14 (20130101); C08F
2500/03 (20130101); C08F 2500/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C07F
17/00 (20060101); C08F 4/6592 (20060101); C08F
210/16 (20060101); C08F 210/14 (20060101); C08F
4/659 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2011/012245 |
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Feb 2011 |
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WO |
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2016/196331 |
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Dec 2016 |
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WO |
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2017/204830 |
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Nov 2017 |
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WO |
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Other References
US. Appl. No. 62/914,209, filed Oct. 11, 2019, Yang, J. et al.
cited by applicant .
Araneda, J. F. et al. (2009) "Synthesis, Characterization of a new
Carbonylated Zirconium Metallocene using a Dichloro-Zirconocene
Derived from Partially Alkylated s-indacene," Jrnl. of the Chilean
Chem. Soc., v. 54(3), pp. 269-273. cited by applicant .
Araneda, J. F. et al. (2015) "A New Series of Zirconium
Metallocenes Derived from Partially Alkylated s-indacene with
Potential Applications in the Polymerization of Ethylene,"
Inorganica Chimica Acta, v. 434, pp. 121-126. cited by applicant
.
Oehninger, L. et al. (2013) "Novel Titanocene Derived from a
Partially Alkylated s-indacene: Synthesis, Characterization and
Comparative Study with its Zirconium Analog," Inorganica Chimica
Acta, v. 396, pp. 35-39. cited by applicant .
Calhoun et al., "Molecular Characterization of Polymers," Polymer
Chemistry, Chapter 5, pp. 77-102. cited by applicant .
Kaplan et al., "Synthesis and Characterization of a
Bis(imino)-N-heterocyclic Carbene Analogue to Bis(imino)pyridine
Iron Complexes," Organometallics, 2012, vol. 31, pp. 7343-7350.
cited by applicant .
Manna et al., "High Molecular Weight Poly(lactic acid) Produced by
an Efficient Iron Catalyst Bearing a Bis(amidinato)-N-Heterocyclic
Carbene Ligand," Polyhedron, 2014, vol. 84, pp. 160-167. cited by
applicant .
Thagfi et al., "Preparation and Reactivity Study of Chromium(III),
Iron(II), and Cobalt(II) Complexes of 1
,3-Bis(imino)benzimidazol-2-ylidene and 1
,3-Bis(imino)pyrimidin-2-ylidene," Organometallics, 2012, vol. 31 ,
pp. 7351-7358. cited by applicant .
Baker et al., "Magnetic Circular Dichroisrn and Density Functional
Theory Studies of Iron (II)-Pincer Complexes: Insight into
Electronic Structure and Bonding Effects of Pincer N-Heterocyclic
Carbene Moieties," Organometallics, 2016, vol. 35, pp. 3692-3700.
cited by applicant .
Drake, et al., "Spin Transitions in Bis(amidinato)-N-heterocyclic
Carbene Iron(II) and Iron (III) Complexes," Dalton Transactions,
2015, vol. 44, pp. 16703-16707. cited by applicant .
Kaplan et al., "Electron-donating Capabilities and Evidence for
Redox Activity in Low Oxidation State Iron Complexes Bearing
Bis(amidine)pyrimidylidene Ligands," Journal of Coordination
Chemistry, 2016, vol. 69, Nos. 11-13, pp. 2047-2058. cited by
applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Lu; Caixia
Parent Case Text
PRIORITY CLAIM
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Ser.
No. 62/577,046, filed Oct. 25, 2017 and is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
Claims
We claim:
1. A catalyst represented by Formula (I): ##STR00068## wherein: M
is a group 4 metal; each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.8
is independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR,
--OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2, or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.#
is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; R.sup.4 is
selected from aryl, alkyl, bromo, chloro, fluoro or
--R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and
R' is halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl;
each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6, R.sup.6', R.sup.7 and R.sup.7'
is independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR,
--OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2, or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.#
is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; each X is
independently a leaving group, or two Xs are joined and bound to
the metal atom to form a metallocycle ring, or two Xs are joined to
form a chelating ligand, a diene, or an alkylidene; and each of
R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 is hydrogen,
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40
substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3,
--PR'.sub.2, or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and where each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, or R.sup.9 and
R.sup.10 or R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 together form a substituted or
unsubstituted 5-8 membered saturated or unsaturated cyclic ring
structure, wherein the catalyst is asymmetric.
2. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein; M is a group 4 metal; each of
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.8 is independently hydrogen,
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl,
halocarbyl or silylcarbyl; each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6,
R.sup.6', R.sup.7 and R.sup.7' is independently hydrogen or a
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl; each X is independently a leaving group, or
two Xs are joined and bound to the metal atom to form a
metallocycle ring, or two Xs are joined to form a chelating ligand,
a diene, or an alkylidene; and each of R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11,
R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20 substituted
or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, or R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 or R.sup.12
and R.sup.13 together form a substituted or unsubstituted 5-8
membered saturated or unsaturated cyclic ring.
3. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 together
form an unsaturated cyclic ring.
4. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 or
R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 together form a substituted or unsubstituted
5-8 membered saturated or unsaturated cyclic ring and the
unsaturated cyclic ring is substituted with bromo or phenyl which
is optionally substituted or unsubstituted.
5. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein R.sup.12 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20
unsubstituted hydrocarbyl or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.#
is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and R' is halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl
or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl.
6. The catalyst of claim 5, wherein R.sup.12 is butyl.
7. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein R.sup.2 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20
unsubstituted hydrocarbyl.
8. The catalyst of claim 7, wherein R.sup.2 is methyl.
9. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein R.sup.2 is hydrogen.
10. A catalyst represented by Formula (II): ##STR00069## wherein:
each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 is independently
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40
substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3,
--PR'.sub.2, where each R' is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10
alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are
optionally hydrogen.
11. A catalyst system comprising: the catalyst of claim 1; a
support material; and an activator.
12. The catalyst system of claim 11, wherein the support material
is selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina,
silica-alumina, zirconia, and combinations thereof.
13. The catalyst system of claim 11, wherein the activator
comprises alumoxane or a non-coordinating anion.
14. The catalyst system of claim 11, wherein the activator is
methylalumoxane.
15. The catalyst system of claim 11, wherein the support is a
silica aluminate and comprises an electron withdrawing anion such
as fluoride or sulphate.
16. The catalyst system of claim 11, wherein the support is treated
with an alkyl aluminum.
17. The catalyst system of claim 11, wherein the catalyst
represented by Formula (I) is present in the catalyst system as at
least two isomers.
18. The catalyst system of claim 11, wherein the activator is one
or more of: N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate,
[Me.sub.3NH+][B(C.sub.6F.sub.5).sub.4.sup.-],
1-(4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)
pyrrolidinium,
1-(4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)
pyrrolidinium, sodium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, potassium
tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,
4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridinium,
sodium tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)aluminate, potassium
terakis(pentafluorophenyl), and N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)aluminate.
19. A process for polymerization of olefin monomers comprising
contacting one or more olefin monomers with a catalyst system of
claim 11.
20. The process of claim 19, wherein polymerization of the olefin
monomers forms linear low density polyethylene.
21. A process for the production of an ethylene alpha-olefin
copolymer comprising: polymerizing ethylene and at least one
alpha-olefin by contacting the ethylene and the at least one
alpha-olefin with the catalyst system of claim 11 in at least one
gas phase reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7 to 70 bar and a
reactor temperature of from 20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. to form
an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer.
22. A process for the production of an ethylene alpha-olefin
copolymer comprising: polymerizing ethylene and at least one
alpha-olefin by contacting the ethylene and the at least one
alpha-olefin with the catalyst system of claim 11 in at least one
slurry phase reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7 to 70 bar
and a reactor temperature of from 60.degree. C. to 130.degree. C.
to form an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer.
23. The catalyst of claim 10, wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are
hydrogen, one of the R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are hydrogen, or R.sup.2,
R.sup.3 and at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.4are hydrogen.
24. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from:
##STR00070## ##STR00071## ##STR00072## ##STR00073##
25. A catalyst represented by the formula: ##STR00074##
##STR00075## ##STR00076## ##STR00077## ##STR00078## ##STR00079##
##STR00080## ##STR00081## ##STR00082##
26. A catalyst represented by Formula (I): ##STR00083## wherein: M
is a group 4 metal; each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.8
is independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR,
--OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2, or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.#
is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; R.sup.4 is
selected from aryl, alkyl, bromo, chloro, fluoro or
--R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and
R' is halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl;
each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6, R.sup.6', R.sup.7 and R.sup.7'
is independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR,
--OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2, or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.#
is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; each X is
independently a leaving group, or two Xs are joined and bound to
the metal atom to form a metallocycle ring, or two Xs are joined to
form a chelating ligand, a diene, or an alkylidene; and R.sup.12 is
C.sub.1-C.sub.20 unsubstituted hydrocarbyl or
--R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and
R' is halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl;
each of R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, and R.sup.13 is hydrogen,
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40
substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3,
--PR'.sub.2, or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and where each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, or R.sup.9 and
R.sup.10 or R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 together form a substituted or
unsubstituted 5-8 membered saturated or unsaturated cyclic or
multicyclic ring structure, wherein the catalyst is asymmetric.
27. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein each of R.sup.9, R.sup.10,
R.sup.11, R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted
hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2,
or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl
and where each R' is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or
C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl.
28. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein R.sup.4 is selected from
bromo, chloro, fluoro or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and R' is halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl or
C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl.
29. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein R.sup.8 is hydrogen.
30. The catalyst of claim 1, wherein R.sup.2 is halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted
hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2,
or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl
and each R' is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or
C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure provides novel unbridged group 4
indacenyl-containing metallocene compound. The catalyst system may
be used for olefin polymerization processes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Polyolefins are widely used commercially because of their robust
physical properties. For example, various types of polyethylenes,
including high density, low density, and linear low density
polyethylenes, are some of the most commercially useful.
Polyolefins are typically prepared with a catalyst that polymerizes
olefin monomers.
Other references of interest include: US 2015/0322184, A. Calhoun,
et al. Polymer Chemistry, Chapter 5, pages 77-87; US 2016/0244535;
U.S. Ser. No. 15/145,320, filed May 3, 2016; WO 2011/012245, and
PCT/US2016/034784.
There is a need for new and improved catalyst systems for the
polymerization of olefins, in order to achieve increased activity
or enhanced polymer properties, to increase conversion or comonomer
incorporation, or to alter comonomer distribution. There is also a
need for supported catalyst systems and processes for the
polymerization of olefins (such as ethylene) using such catalyst
systems to provide ethylene polymers having the unique properties
of high stiffness, high toughness and good processability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure provides novel unbridged group 4
indacenyl-containing metallocene compounds. The novel unbridged
group 4 indacenyl-containing metallocene compounds are represented
by Formula (I):
##STR00001## wherein: M is a group 4 metal; each of R.sup.1,
R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.8 is independently hydrogen,
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40
substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3,
--PR'.sub.2, --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; each of R.sup.5,
R.sup.5', R.sup.6, R.sup.6', R.sup.7 and R.sup.7' is independently
hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40
substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3,
--PR'.sub.2, --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; each X is
independently a leaving group, or two Xs are joined and bound to
the metal atom to form a metallocycle ring, or two Xs are joined to
form a chelating ligand, a diene, or an alkylidene; and each of
R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, and R.sup.13 is hydrogen,
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40
substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3,
--PR'.sub.2, --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, or R.sup.9 and
R.sup.10 or R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 together form a substituted or
unsubstituted 5-8 membered saturated or unsaturated cyclic or
polycyclic ring structure.
The present disclosure also provides a process for polymerization
of monomers (such as olefin monomers) comprising contacting one or
more monomers with catalyst systems comprising the above catalyst
compounds.
The present disclosure also provides a process to produce ethylene
polymer compositions comprising: i) contacting in a single reaction
zone, in the gas phase or slurry phase, ethylene and C.sub.3 to
C.sub.20 comonomer with a catalyst system comprising a support, an
activator, and one or more catalyst compounds described above, and
ii) obtaining an ethylene polymer composition having at least 50
mol % ethylene, preferably having a density of 0.89 g/cc or more
(alternately 0.90 g/cc or more, 0.908 g/cc or more, 0.91 g/cc or
more, 0.918 g/cc or more, or 0.935 g/cc or more).
The present disclosure also provides polymer compositions produced
by the methods and catalyst systems described herein that
preferably have a broad molecular weight distribution for easier
processing while maintaining sufficient comonomer incorporation to
provide good stiffness and good toughness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a graph comparing the polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) at
various C.sub.6 wt % for polymers prepared with catalysts of the
present disclosure with polymers made under the same conditions
prepared with comparative catalysts.
FIG. 2 is a graph comparing the polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) at
various C.sub.6 wt % for polymers prepared with catalysts of the
present disclosure with polymers made under the same conditions
prepared with comparative catalysts.
FIG. 3 is a graph comparing the comonomer incorporation at various
hexene concentrations in the feed for polymers prepared with
catalysts of the present disclosure with polymers made under the
same conditions prepared with comparative catalysts.
FIG. 4 is a graph comparing the GPC4D of polymers made by inventive
catalysts in Ex. 25, 28, 33, and 50 with polymers made by
comparative catalyst in Ex. 57.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure provides novel unbridged group 4
indacenyl-containing metallocene compounds. The catalyst systems
may be used for olefin polymerization processes. Catalyst systems
of the present disclosure can provide increased activity or
enhanced polymer properties, to increase conversion or comonomer
incorporation, or to alter comonomer distribution. Catalyst systems
and processes of the present disclosure can provide ethylene
polymers having the unique properties of high stiffness, high
toughness and good processability.
For purposes of the present disclosure, a "catalyst system" is a
combination of one or more catalyst compounds, an activator, and
optional support material. The catalyst systems may further
comprise one or more additional catalyst compounds. For purposes of
the present disclosure, when catalyst systems are described as
comprising neutral stable forms of the components, it is well
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, that the ionic form
of the component is the form that reacts with the monomers to
produce polymers.
The term "complex" is used to describe molecules in which an
ancillary ligand is coordinated to a central transition metal atom.
The ligand is bulky and stably bonded to the transition metal so as
to maintain its influence during use of the catalyst, such as
polymerization. The ligand may be coordinated to the transition
metal by covalent bond and/or electron donation coordination or
intermediate bonds. The transition metal complexes are generally
subjected to activation to perform their polymerization function
using an activator which is believed to create a cation as a result
of the removal of an anionic group, often referred to as a leaving
group, from the transition metal. "Complex," as used herein, is
also often referred to as "catalyst precursor," "pre-catalyst,"
"catalyst," "catalyst compound," "metal compound," "metal catalyst
compound", "transition metal compound," or "transition metal
complex." These words are used interchangeably. "Activator" and
"cocatalyst" are also used interchangeably.
The terms "hydrocarbyl radical," "hydrocarbyl" and "hydrocarbyl
group" are used interchangeably throughout this document. Likewise
the terms "group," "radical," and "substituent" are also used
interchangeably in this document. For purposes of the present
disclosure, "hydrocarbyl radical" is defined to be
C.sub.1-C.sub.100 radicals, that may be linear, branched, or
cyclic, and when cyclic, aromatic or non-aromatic.
For purposes of the present disclosure, unless otherwise indicated,
the term "substituted" means that a hydrogen group has been
replaced with a heteroatom, or a heteroatom containing group. For
example, substituted hydrocarbyl radicals are radicals in which at
least one hydrogen atom of the hydrocarbyl radical has been
substituted with at least one functional group such as Cl, Br, F,
I, NR*.sub.2, OR*, SeR*, TeR*, PR*.sub.2, AsR*.sub.2, SbR*.sub.2,
SR*, BR*.sub.2, SiR*.sub.3, GeR*.sub.3, SnR*.sub.3, PbR*.sub.3, and
the like (where R* is H or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl
group), or where at least one heteroatom has been inserted within a
hydrocarbyl ring.
The term "ring atom" means an atom that is part of a cyclic ring
structure. By this definition, a benzyl group has six ring atoms
and tetrahydrofuran has 5 ring atoms.
A "ring carbon atom" is a carbon atom that is part of a cyclic ring
structure. By this definition, a benzyl group has six ring carbon
atoms and para-methylstyrene also has six ring carbon atoms.
The term "aryl" or "aryl group" means a six carbon aromatic ring
and the substituted variants thereof, including but not limited to,
phenyl, 2-methyl-phenyl, xylyl, 4-bromo-xylyl.
Likewise, heteroaryl means an aryl group where a ring carbon atom
(or two or three ring carbon atoms) has been replaced with a
heteroatom, preferably, N, O, or S.
A "heterocyclic ring" is a ring having a heteroatom in the ring
structure as opposed to a heteroatom substituted ring where a
hydrogen on a ring atom is replaced with a heteroatom. For example,
tetrahydrofuran is a heterocyclic ring and
4-N,N-dimethylamino-phenyl is a heteroatom substituted ring.
As used herein the term "aromatic" also refers to pseudoaromatic
heterocycles which are heterocyclic substituents that have similar
properties and structures (nearly planar) to aromatic heterocyclic
ligands, but are not by definition aromatic; likewise, the term
aromatic also refers to substituted aromatics.
The term "continuous" means a system that operates without
interruption or cessation. For example, a continuous process to
produce a polymer would be one where the reactants are continually
introduced into one or more reactors and polymer product is
continually withdrawn.
As used herein, the numbering scheme for the Periodic Table groups
is the new notation as set out in Chemical and Engineering News,
63(5), 27, (1985).
An "olefin," is a linear, branched, or cyclic compound of carbon
and hydrogen having at least one double bond. For purposes of this
specification and the claims appended thereto, when a polymer or
copolymer is referred to as comprising an olefin, the olefin
present in such polymer or copolymer is the polymerized form of the
olefin. For example, when a copolymer is said to have an "ethylene"
content of 35 wt % to 55 wt %, it is understood that the mer unit
in the copolymer is derived from ethylene in the polymerization
reaction and said derived units are present at 35 wt % to 55 wt %,
based upon the weight of the copolymer. A "polymer" has two or more
of the same or different mer units. A "homopolymer" is a polymer
having mer units that are the same. A "copolymer" is a polymer
having two or more mer units that are different from each other.
"Different" is used to refer to mer units indicates that the mer
units differ from each other by at least one atom or are different
isomerically. Accordingly, the definition of copolymer, as used
herein, includes terpolymers and the like. An "ethylene polymer" or
"ethylene copolymer" is a polymer or copolymer comprising at least
50 mol % ethylene derived units, a "propylene polymer" or
"propylene copolymer" is a polymer or copolymer comprising at least
50 mol % propylene derived units, and so on.
For purposes of the present disclosure, an ethylene polymer having
a density of 0.86 g/cm.sup.3 or less is referred to as an ethylene
elastomer or elastomer; an ethylene polymer having a density of
more than 0.86 to less than 0.910 g/cm.sup.3 is referred to as an
ethylene plastomer or plastomer; an ethylene polymer having a
density of 0.910 to 0.940 g/cm.sup.3 is referred to as a low
density polyethylene; and an ethylene polymer having a density of
more than 0.940 g/cm.sup.3 is referred to as a high density
polyethylene (HDPE). Density is determined according to ASTM D 1505
using a density-gradient column on a compression-molded specimen
that has been slowly cooled to room temperature (i.e., over a
period of 10 minutes or more) and allowed to age for a sufficient
time that the density is constant within +/-0.001 g/cm.sup.3).
Polyethylene in an overlapping density range, i.e., 0.890 to 0.930
g/cm.sup.3, typically from 0.915 to 0.930 g/cm.sup.3, which is
linear and does not contain long chain branching is referred to as
"linear low density polyethylene" (LLDPE) and has been produced
with conventional Ziegler-Natta catalysts, vanadium catalysts, or
with metallocene catalysts in gas phase reactors and/or in slurry
reactors and/or in solution reactors. "Linear" means that the
polyethylene has no long chain branches, typically referred to as a
branching index (g'.sub.vis) of 0.97 or above, preferably 0.98 or
above. Branching index, g'.sub.vis, is measured by GPC-4D as
described below.
For purposes of the present disclosure, ethylene shall be
considered an .alpha.-olefin.
As used herein, M.sub.n is number average molecular weight, M.sub.w
is weight average molecular weight, and M.sub.z is z average
molecular weight, wt % is weight percent, and mol % is mole
percent. Unless otherwise noted, all molecular weights (e.g., Mw,
Mn, Mz) are reported in units of g/mol. Molecular weight
distribution (MWD), also referred to as polydispersity index (PDI),
is defined to be Mw divided by Mn.
Unless otherwise indicated, room temperature is approx. 23.degree.
C.
The following abbreviations may be used herein: Me is methyl, Et is
ethyl, t-Bu and .sup.tBu are tertiary butyl, iPr and .sup.iPr are
isopropyl, Cy is cyclohexyl, THF (also referred to as thf) is
tetrahydrofuran, Bn is benzyl, Ph is phenyl, Cp is
cyclopentadienyl, Cp* is pentamethyl cyclopentadienyl, Ind is
indenyl, Flu is fluorenyl, and MAO is methylalumoxane.
The present disclosure provides novel bridged group 4 metallocene
compounds represented by Formula (I):
##STR00002## wherein: M is a group 4 metal, preferably HF, Zr or
Ti, preferably Hf or Zr; each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3,
R.sup.4, and R.sup.8 is independently hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted
hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2,
--R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and
each R' is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or
C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6,
R.sup.6', R.sup.7, and R.sup.7' is independently hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted
hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2,
--R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and
each R' is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or
C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; each X is independently a leaving group, or
two Xs are joined and bound to the metal atom to form a
metallocycle ring, or two Xs are joined to form a chelating ligand,
a diene, or an alkylidene; and each of R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11,
R.sup.12, and R.sup.13 is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40
hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl,
--NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2,
--R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and
each R' is hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or
C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, or R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 or R.sup.12 and
R.sup.13 together form a substituted or unsubstituted 5-8 membered
saturated or unsaturated cyclic or polycyclic ring structure.
Useful embodiments of the metallocene compound of Formula (I) are
represented by Formula (II):
##STR00003## wherein: each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and
R.sup.4 is independently halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR,
--OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2, --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl. Optionally,
R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can be hydrogen, one of the R.sup.1 and R.sup.4
can be hydrogen, or R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and at least one of R.sup.1
and R.sup.4 are hydrogen.
The present disclosure further provides a process for
polymerization of olefin monomers comprises contacting one or more
monomers with catalyst systems comprising activator, one or more
catalyst compounds represented by the Formula I and a support.
The present disclosure provides a process to produce ethylene
polymer compositions comprising: contacting in a single reaction
zone, in the gas phase or slurry phase, ethylene and C.sub.3 to
C.sub.20 comonomer with a catalyst system comprising a support, an
activator, and one or more catalyst compounds described above, and
obtaining an olefin polymer (such as ethylene homo- or
co-polymer).
The Novel Unbridged Indacenyl-Containing Metallocenes
The novel catalyst compounds of the present disclosure are
represented by Formula (I):
##STR00004## wherein: M is a group 4 metal, preferably Hf or Zr;
each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.8 is
independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR,
--OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2, --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl (preferably C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alpha
olefin, preferably, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,
heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, or an isomer thereof) and each R' is
hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl
(preferably each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.8
is independently is H, or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.40 alpha olefin,
preferably, C.sub.2 to C.sub.20 alpha olefin, preferably, C.sub.2
to C.sub.12 alpha olefin, preferably, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,
pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an
isomer thereof); each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6, R.sup.6',
R.sup.7, and R.sup.7' is independently hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted
hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2,
--R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl
(preferably C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alpha olefin, preferably, methyl,
ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl,
or an isomer thereof), each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl (preferably each
of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6, R.sup.6', R.sup.7, and R.sup.7' is
independently is H, or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.40 alpha olefin,
preferably, C.sub.2 to C.sub.20 alpha olefin, preferably, C.sub.2
to C.sub.12 alpha olefin, preferably, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,
pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an
isomer thereof); each X is independently a leaving group, or two Xs
are joined and bound to the metal atom to form a metallocycle ring,
or two Xs are joined to form a chelating ligand, a diene, or an
alkylidene (preferably each X is independently a halide, such as Cl
or Br, or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.40 alpha olefin, preferably, C.sub.2
to C.sub.20 alpha olefin, preferably, C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 alpha
olefin, preferably, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,
heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an isomer
thereof); and each of R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, and
R.sup.13 is independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40
hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl,
--NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2,
--R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl
(preferably C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alpha olefin, preferably, methyl,
ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl,
or an isomer thereof) each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl (alternately each
of R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, and R.sup.13 is
independently H, C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.40
alpha olefin, alternately, C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, C.sub.2 to
C.sub.20 alpha olefin, alternately, C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl or
C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 alpha olefin, alternately, phenyl, naphthyl,
methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl,
decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an isomer thereof), or R.sup.9 and
R.sup.10 or R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 together form a substituted or
unsubstituted 5-8 membered saturated or unsaturated cyclic or
polycyclic ring structure, such as structures represented by the
formula:
##STR00005## where R.sup.4, R.sup.8, R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6,
R.sup.6', R.sup.7, and R.sup.7' are as defined above.
In embodiments, M is a group 4 metal (such as Zr or Hf); each of
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 is independently
hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 substituted or unsubstituted
hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl or silylcarbyl; each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5',
R.sup.6, R.sup.6', R.sup.7, and R.sup.7' is independently hydrogen
or a C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl; each X is independently a leaving
group, or two Xs are joined and bound to the metal atom to form a
metallocycle ring, or two Xs are joined to form a chelating ligand,
a diene, or an alkylidene; and each of R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11,
R.sup.12, and R.sup.13 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20 substituted
or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, or R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 or R.sup.12
and R.sup.13 together form a substituted or unsubstituted 5-8
membered saturated or unsaturated cyclic or polycyclic ring
structure.
Preferably, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 alkyl
group, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl,
octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an isomer thereof.
In embodiments, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 together form an unsaturated
cyclic ring structure. Alternatively, the unsaturated cyclic ring
may be substituted with bromo or phenyl which may be substituted or
unsubstituted.
In embodiments, each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6, R.sup.6',
R.sup.7, and R.sup.7' is independently is H, or methyl, ethyl,
propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl,
dodecyl or an isomer thereof).
In preferred embodiments, each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6,
R.sup.6', R.sup.7, and R.sup.7' is H, alternately R.sup.5,
R.sup.5', R.sup.7, and R.sup.7' are H, and R.sup.6 and R.sup.6' are
independently, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl,
octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an isomer thereof.
Alternatively, R.sup.12 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20 unsubstituted
hydrocarbyl, preferably butyl.
Alternatively, each X may be, independently, a halide, a hydride,
an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an arylalkyl group.
Alternatively, R.sup.4 is --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl (preferably, C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alpha
olefin, preferably, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,
heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, or an isomer thereof) and R' is,
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl,
preferably, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl,
octyl, nonyl, decyl, phenyl or an isomer thereof), preferably
R.sup.4 is CH.sub.2SiMe.sub.3.
Alternatively, R.sup.12 is --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl (preferably, C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alpha
olefin, preferably, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,
heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, or an isomer thereof) and R' is,
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl,
preferably, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl,
octyl, nonyl, decyl, phenyl or an isomer thereof), preferably
R.sup.12 is CH.sub.2SiMe.sub.3.
Alternatively, each X is independently selected from the group
consisting of hydrocarbyl radicals having from 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, aryls, hydrides, amides, alkoxides, sulfides, phosphides,
halides, dienes, amines, phosphines, ethers, and a combination
thereof, (two Xs may form a part of a fused ring or a ring system),
preferably each X is independently selected from halides, aryls and
C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alkyl groups, preferably each X is a phenyl,
methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, bromo, or chloro group.
In a preferred embodiment of Formula I:
M is a group 4 metal;
each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.8 is
independently hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 substituted or
unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl or silylcarbyl;
each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6, R.sup.6', R.sup.7, and R.sup.7'
is independently hydrogen or a C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl;
each X is independently a leaving group, or two Xs are joined and
bound to the metal atom to form a metallocycle ring, or two Xs are
joined to form a chelating ligand, a diene, or an alkylidene;
and
each of R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, and R.sup.13 is
hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20 substituted or unsubstituted
hydrocarbyl, or R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 or R.sup.12 and R.sup.13
together form a substituted or unsubstituted 5-8 membered saturated
or unsaturated cyclic ring.
In embodiments of Formula I, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 together form an
unsaturated cyclic ring structure, preferably the unsaturated
cyclic ring is substituted with bromo or phenyl which may be
substituted or unsubstituted.
In embodiments of Formula I, R.sup.4 is selected from aryl, alkyl,
bromo, chloro, or fluoro.
In embodiments of Formula I, R.sup.12 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20
unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, preferably R.sup.12 is butyl.
In embodiments of Formula I, R.sup.2 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20
unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, preferably R.sup.2 is methyl.
In embodiments of Formula I, R.sup.2 is hydrogen.
Useful asymmetric catalysts are preferably such that a mirror plane
cannot be drawn through the metal center and the cyclopentadienyl
moieties bridged to the metal center are structurally
different.
Catalyst compounds useful herein are represented by one or more
of:
##STR00006## ##STR00007## ##STR00008## ##STR00009##
Catalyst compounds useful herein are represented by one or more
of:
##STR00010## ##STR00011## ##STR00012## ##STR00013## ##STR00014##
##STR00015## ##STR00016## ##STR00017## ##STR00018##
##STR00019##
Preferred catalyst compounds useful herein are represented by
Formula (II):
##STR00020## wherein: each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and
R.sup.4 is independently halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR,
--OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2, where each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl (preferably each
of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4, is independently H,
C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.40 alpha olefin,
preferably, C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, or C.sub.2 to C.sub.20 alpha
olefin, preferably, C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, or C.sub.2 to C.sub.12
alpha olefin, preferably, phenyl, naphthyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl,
butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl
or an isomer thereof).
Optionally, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 can be hydrogen, one of the R.sup.1
and R.sup.4 can be hydrogen, or R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and at least one
of R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are hydrogen.
In embodiments of Formula II, R.sup.1 is substituted or
unsubstituted aryl or halogen, such as substituted or unsubstituted
phenyl, chloro, idodo, or bromo.
In embodiments of Formula II, R.sup.4 is substituted or
unsubstituted aryl or halogen, such as substituted or unsubstituted
phenyl, chloro, idodo, or bromo.
In embodiments of Formula II, R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are,
independently, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or halogen, such
as substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, chloro, idodo or bromo.
In embodiments of Formula II, R.sup.2 is H, phenyl, naphthyl,
methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl,
decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an isomer thereof.
In embodiments of Formula II, R.sup.3 is H, phenyl, naphthyl,
methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl,
decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an isomer thereof.
In embodiments of Formula II, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are,
independently, H, phenyl, naphthyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,
pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an
isomer thereof.
In embodiments of Formula II, R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are,
independently, substituted or unsubstituted aryl or halogen, such
as substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, chloro, idodo, or bromo,
and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are, independently, H, phenyl, naphthyl,
methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl,
decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or an isomer thereof.
Catalyst compounds useful herein include one or more of those
represented by the formula:
##STR00021## ##STR00022## Support Material
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the catalyst systems can
comprise a support material. Preferably, the support material is a
porous support material, for example, talc, and inorganic oxides.
Other support materials include zeolites, clays, organoclays, or
any other organic or inorganic support material, or mixtures
thereof. As used herein, "support" and "support material" are used
interchangeably.
Preferably, the support material is an inorganic oxide in a finely
divided form. Suitable inorganic oxide materials for use in the
supported catalyst systems herein include Groups 2, 4, 13, and 14
metal oxides such as silica, alumina, and mixtures thereof. Other
inorganic oxides that may be employed, either alone or in
combination, with the silica or alumina are magnesia, titania,
zirconia, and the like. Other suitable support materials, however,
can be employed, for example, finely divided functionalized
polyolefins such as finely divided polyethylene. Particularly
useful supports include magnesia, titania, zirconia,
montmorillonite, phyllosilicate, zeolites, talc, clays, and the
like. Also, combinations of these support materials may be used,
for example, silica-chromium, silica-alumina, silica-titania, and
the like. Preferred support materials include Al.sub.2O.sub.3,
ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, and combinations thereof, more preferably,
SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, or SiO.sub.2/Al.sub.2O.sub.3.
It is preferred that the support material, most preferably, an
inorganic oxide, has a surface area in the range of from about 10
m.sup.2/g to about 700 m.sup.2/g, pore volume in the range of from
about 0.1 cc/g to about 4.0 cc/g, and average particle size in the
range of from about 5 m to about 500 m. More preferably, the
surface area of the support material is in the range of from about
50 m.sup.2/g to about 500 m.sup.2/g, pore volume of from about 0.5
cc/g to about 3.5 cc/g, and average particle size of from about 10
m to about 200 m. Most preferably, the surface area of the support
material is in the range of from about 100 m.sup.2/g to about 400
m.sup.2/g, pore volume from about 0.8 cc/g to about 3.0 cc/g, and
average particle size is from about 5 m to about 100 .mu.m. The
average pore size of the support material can be from 10 to 1,000
.ANG., preferably, 50 to about 500 .ANG., and most preferably, 75
to about 350 .ANG.. In some embodiments, the support material is a
high surface area, amorphous silica (surface area .gtoreq.300
m.sup.2/gm, pore volume .gtoreq.1.65 cm.sup.3/gm), and is marketed
under the tradenames of DAVISON 952 or DAVISON 955 by the Davison
Chemical Division of W. R. Grace and Company, are particularly
useful. In other embodiments, DAVIDSON 948 is used.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the support material
may be dry, that is, free of absorbed water. Drying of the support
material can be achieved by heating or calcining at about
100.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C., preferably, at least about
600.degree. C. When the support material is silica, it is typically
heated to at least 200.degree. C., preferably, about 200.degree. C.
to about 850.degree. C., and most preferably, at about 600.degree.
C.; and for a time of about 1 minute to about 100 hours, from about
12 hours to about 72 hours, or from about 24 hours to about 60
hours. The calcined support material, preferably, has at least some
reactive hydroxyl (OH) groups.
In a particularly useful embodiment, the support material is
fluorided. Fluoriding agent containing compounds may be any
compound containing a fluorine atom. Particularly desirable are
inorganic fluorine containing compounds are selected from the group
consisting of NH.sub.4BF.sub.4, (NH.sub.4).sub.2SiF.sub.6,
NH.sub.4PF.sub.6, NH.sub.4F, (NH.sub.4).sub.2TaF.sub.7,
NH.sub.4NbF.sub.4, (NH.sub.4).sub.2GeF.sub.6,
(NH.sub.4).sub.2SmF.sub.6, (NH.sub.4).sub.2TiF.sub.6,
(NH.sub.4).sub.2ZrF.sub.6, MoF.sub.6, ReF.sub.6, GaF.sub.3,
SO.sub.2ClF, F.sub.2, SiF.sub.4, SF.sub.6, ClF.sub.3, CkF.sub.5,
BrF.sub.5, IF.sub.7, NF.sub.3, HF, BF.sub.3, NHF.sub.2, and
NH.sub.4HF.sub.2. Of these, ammonium hexafluorosilicate and
ammonium tetrafluoroborate are useful. Combinations of these
compounds may also be used.
Ammonium hexafluorosilicate and ammonium tetrafluoroborate fluorine
compounds are typically solid particulates as are the silicon
dioxide supports. A desirable method of treating the support with
the fluorine compound is to dry mix the two components by blending
at a concentration of from 0.01 to 10.0 millimole F/g of support,
desirably in the range of from 0.05 to 6.0 millimole F/g of
support, and most desirably in the range of from 0.1 to 3.0
millimole F/g of support. The fluorine compound can be dry mixed
with the support either before or after charging to a vessel for
dehydration or calcining the support. Accordingly, the fluorine
concentration present on the support is in the range of from 0.1 to
25 wt %, alternatively from 0.19 to 19 wt %, alternatively from 0.6
to 3.5 wt %, based upon the weight of the support.
The above two metal catalyst components described herein are
generally deposited on the support material at a loading level of
10-100 micromoles of metal per gram of solid support; alternatively
20-80 micromoles of metal per gram of solid support; or 40-60
micromoles of metal per gram of support. But greater or lesser
values may be used provided that the total amount of solid complex
does not exceed the support's pore volume.
In at least one embodiment, the support material comprises a
support material treated with an electron-withdrawing anion. The
support material can be silica, alumina, silica-alumina,
silica-zirconia, alumina-zirconia, aluminum phosphate,
heteropolytungstates, titania, magnesia, boria, zinc oxide, mixed
oxides thereof, or mixtures thereof; and the electron-withdrawing
anion is selected from fluoride, chloride, bromide, phosphate,
triflate, bisulfate, sulfate, or any combination thereof.
The electron-withdrawing component used to treat the support
material can be any component that increases the Lewis or Bronsted
acidity of the support material upon treatment (as compared to the
support material that is not treated with at least one
electron-withdrawing anion). In at least one embodiment, the
electron-withdrawing component is an electron-withdrawing anion
derived from a salt, an acid, or other compound, such as a volatile
organic compound, that serves as a source or precursor for that
anion. Electron-withdrawing anions can be sulfate, bisulfate,
fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, fluorosulfate, fluoroborate,
phosphate, fluorophosphate, trifluoroacetate, triflate,
fluorozirconate, fluorotitanate, phospho-tungstate, or mixtures
thereof, or combinations thereof. An electron-withdrawing anion can
be fluoride, chloride, bromide, phosphate, triflate, bisulfate, or
sulfate, and the like, or any combination thereof, at least one
embodiment of this disclosure. In at least one embodiment, the
electron-withdrawing anion is sulfate, bisulfate, fluoride,
chloride, bromide, iodide, fluorosulfate, fluoroborate, phosphate,
fluorophosphate, trifluoroacetate, triflate, fluorozirconate,
fluorotitanate, or combinations thereof.
Thus, for example, the support material suitable for use in the
catalyst systems of the present disclosure can be one or more of
fluorided alumina, chlorided alumina, bromided alumina, sulfated
alumina, fluorided silica-alumina, chlorided silica-alumina,
bromided silica-alumina, sulfated silica-alumina, fluorided
silica-zirconia, chlorided silica-zirconia, bromided
silica-zirconia, sulfated silica-zirconia, fluorided
silica-titania, fluorided silica-coated alumina, sulfated
silica-coated alumina, phosphated silica-coated alumina, and the
like, or combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, the
activator-support can be, or can comprise, fluorided alumina,
sulfated alumina, fluorided silica-alumina, sulfated
silica-alumina, fluorided silica-coated alumina, sulfated
silica-coated alumina, phosphated silica-coated alumina, or
combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the support material
includes alumina treated with hexafluorotitanic acid, silica-coated
alumina treated with hexafluorotitanic acid, silica-alumina treated
with hexafluorozirconic acid, silica-alumina treated with
trifluoroacetic acid, fluorided boria-alumina, silica treated with
tetrafluoroboric acid, alumina treated with tetrafluoroboric acid,
alumina treated with hexafluorophosphoric acid, or combinations
thereof. Further, any of these activator-supports optionally can be
treated with a metal ion.
Nonlimiting examples of cations suitable for use in the present
disclosure in the salt of the electron-withdrawing anion include
ammonium, trialkyl ammonium, tetraalkyl ammonium, tetraalkyl
phosphonium, H+, [H(OEt.sub.2).sub.2]+, or combinations
thereof.
Further, combinations of one or more different electron-withdrawing
anions, in varying proportions, can be used to tailor the specific
acidity of the support material to a desired level. Combinations of
electron-withdrawing components can be contacted with the support
material simultaneously or individually, and in any order that
provides a desired chemically-treated support material acidity. For
example, in at least one embodiment, two or more
electron-withdrawing anion source compounds in two or more separate
contacting steps.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, one example of a
process by which a chemically-treated support material is prepared
is as follows: a selected support material, or combination of
support materials, can be contacted with a first
electron-withdrawing anion source compound to form a first mixture;
such first mixture can be calcined and then contacted with a second
electron-withdrawing anion source compound to form a second
mixture; the second mixture can then be calcined to form a treated
support material. In such a process, the first and second
electron-withdrawing anion source compounds can be either the same
or different compounds.
The method by which the oxide is contacted with the
electron-withdrawing component, typically a salt or an acid of an
electron-withdrawing anion, can include, but is not limited to,
gelling, co-gelling, impregnation of one compound onto another, and
the like, or combinations thereof. Following a contacting method,
the contacted mixture of the support material, electron-withdrawing
anion, and optional metal ion, can be calcined.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the
support material can be treated by a process comprising: (i)
contacting a support material with a first electron-withdrawing
anion source compound to form a first mixture; (ii) calcining the
first mixture to produce a calcined first mixture; (iii) contacting
the calcined first mixture with a second electron-withdrawing anion
source compound to form a second mixture; and (iv) calcining the
second mixture to form the treated support material.
Activators
The catalyst systems may be formed by combining the above metal
catalyst components with activators in any manner known from the
literature including by supporting them for use in slurry or gas
phase polymerization. Activators are defined to be any compound
which can activate any one of the catalysts described above by
converting the neutral metal compound to a catalytically active
metal compound cation. Non-limiting activators, for example,
include alumoxanes, aluminum alkyls, ionizing activators, which may
be neutral or ionic, and conventional-type cocatalysts. Preferred
activators typically include alumoxane compounds, modified
alumoxane compounds, and ionizing anion precursor compounds that
abstract a reactive, G-bound, metal ligand making the metal
compound cationic and providing a charge-balancing noncoordinating
or weakly coordinating anion.
Alumoxane Activators
Alumoxane activators are utilized as activators in the catalyst
systems described herein. Alumoxanes are generally oligomeric
compounds containing --Al(R.sup.1)--O-- sub-units, where R.sup.1 is
an alkyl group. Examples of alumoxanes include methylalumoxane
(MAO), modified methylalumoxane (MMAO), ethylalumoxane and
isobutylalumoxane. Alkylalumoxanes and modified alkylalumoxanes are
suitable as catalyst activators, particularly when the abstractable
ligand is an alkyl, halide, alkoxide, or amide. Mixtures of
different alumoxanes and modified alumoxanes may also be used. It
may be preferable to use a visually clear methylalumoxane. A cloudy
or gelled alumoxane can be filtered to produce a clear solution or
clear alumoxane can be decanted from the cloudy solution. A useful
alumoxane is a modified methyl alumoxane (MMAO) cocatalyst type 3A
(commercially available from Akzo Chemicals, Inc. under the trade
name Modified Methylalumoxane type 3A, covered under patent number
U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,584).
When the activator is an alumoxane (modified or unmodified), some
embodiments select the maximum amount of activator typically at up
to a 5000-fold molar excess Al/M over the catalyst (per metal
catalytic site). The minimum activator-to-catalyst-compound is a
1:1 molar ratio. Alternate preferred ranges include from 1:1 to
500:1, alternatively from 1:1 to 200:1, alternatively from 1:1 to
100:1, or alternatively from 1:1 to 50:1.
In an alternate embodiment, little or no alumoxane is used in the
polymerization processes described herein. Preferably, alumoxane is
present at zero mol %, alternatively the alumoxane is present at a
molar ratio of aluminum to catalyst compound transition metal less
than 500:1, preferably less than 300:1, preferably less than 100:1,
preferably less than 1:1.
Non Coordinating Anion Activators
The term "non-coordinating anion" (NCA) means an anion which either
does not coordinate to a cation or which is only weakly coordinated
to a cation thereby remaining sufficiently labile to be displaced
by a neutral Lewis base. "Compatible" non-coordinating anions are
those which are not degraded to neutrality when the initially
formed complex decomposes. Further, the anion will not transfer an
anionic substituent or fragment to the cation so as to cause it to
form a neutral transition metal compound and a neutral by-product
from the anion. Non-coordinating anions useful in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure are those that are
compatible, stabilize the transition metal cation in the sense of
balancing its ionic charge at +1, and yet retain sufficient
lability to permit displacement during polymerization.
It is within the scope of the present disclosure to use an ionizing
activator, neutral or ionic, such as tri (n-butyl) ammonium
tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) borate, a tris perfluorophenyl boron
metalloid precursor or a tris perfluoronaphthyl boron metalloid
precursor, polyhalogenated heteroborane anions (WO 98/43983), boric
acid (U.S. Pat. No. 5,942,459), or combination thereof. It is also
within the scope of the present disclosure to use neutral or ionic
activators alone or in combination with alumoxane or modified
alumoxane activators.
For descriptions of useful activators please see U.S. Pat. Nos.
8,658,556 and 6,211,105.
Preferred activators include N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate,
[Me.sub.3NH.sup.+][B(C.sub.6F.sub.5).sub.4.sup.-],
1-(4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)pyrrolidin-
ium; and [Me.sub.3NH.sup.+][B(C.sub.6F.sub.5).sub.4.sup.-],
1-(4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)
pyrrolidinium; and sodium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,
potassium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,
4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridinium,
solidium tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)aluminate, potassium
terakis(pentafluorophenyl), and N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)aluminate.
In a preferred embodiment, the activator comprises a triaryl
carbonium (such as triphenylcarbenium tetraphenylborate,
triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,
triphenylcarbenium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate,
triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate,
triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate,
triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate).
In another embodiment, the activator comprises one or more of
trialkylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,
N,N-dialkylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,
N,N-dimethyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium)
tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, trialkylammonium
tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl) borate, N,N-dialkylanilinium
tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, trialkylammonium
tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N-dialkylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, trialkylammonium
tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, N,N-dialkylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, trialkylammonium
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate,
N,N-dialkylanilinium
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate,
N,N-dialkyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium)
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate,
di-(i-propyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, (where
alkyl is methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, or
t-butyl).
The typical activator-to-catalyst ratio, e.g., all NCA
activators-to-catalyst ratio is about a 1:1 molar ratio. Alternate
preferred ranges include from 0.1:1 to 100:1, alternatively from
0.5:1 to 200:1, alternatively from 1:1 to 500:1 alternatively from
1:1 to 1000:1. A particularly useful range is from 0.5:1 to 10:1,
preferably 1:1 to 5:1.
Optional Scavengers or Co-Activators
In addition to the activator compounds, scavengers, chain transfer
agents or co-activators may be used. Aluminum alkyl or
organoaluminum compounds which may be utilized as co-activators
include, for example, trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum,
triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-hexylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum, and
diethyl zinc.
In some embodiments, the catalyst systems will additionally
comprise one or more scavenging compounds. Here, the term
"scavenger" means a compound that removes polar impurities from the
reaction environment. These impurities adversely affect catalyst
activity and stability. Typically, the scavenging compound will be
an organometallic compound such as the Group-13 organometallic
compounds of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,153,157; 5,241,025; and WO 91/09882;
WO 94/03506; WO 93/14132; and that of WO 95/07941. Exemplary
compounds include triethyl aluminum, triethyl borane, tri-iso-butyl
aluminum, methyl alumoxane, iso-butyl alumoxane, and tri-n-octyl
aluminum. Those scavenging compounds having bulky or
C.sub.6-C.sub.20 linear hydrocarbyl substituents connected to the
metal or metalloid center usually minimize adverse interaction with
the active catalyst. Examples include triethyl aluminum, but more
preferably, bulky compounds such as tri-iso-butyl aluminum,
tri-iso-prenyl aluminum, and long-chain linear alkyl-substituted
aluminum compounds, such as tri-n-hexyl aluminum, tri-n-octyl
aluminum, or tri-n-dodecyl aluminum. When alumoxane is used as the
activator, any excess over that needed for activation will scavenge
impurities and additional scavenging compounds may be unnecessary.
Alumoxanes also may be added in scavenging quantities with other
activators, e.g., methylalumoxane,
[Me.sub.2HNPh].sup.+[B(pfp).sub.4].sup.- or B(pfp).sub.3
(perfluorophenyl=pfp=C.sub.6F.sub.5).
Preferred aluminum scavengers include those where there is oxygen
present. That is, the material per se or the aluminum mixture used
as a scavenger, includes an aluminum/oxygen species, such as an
alumoxane or alkylaluminum oxides, e.g., dialkyaluminum oxides,
such as bis(diisobutylaluminum) oxide. In one aspect, aluminum
containing scavengers can be represented by the formula
((R.sub.z--Al--).sub.yO--).sub.x, wherein z is 1-2, y is 1-2, x is
1-100, and R is a C.sub.1-C.sub.12 hydrocarbyl group. In another
aspect, the scavenger has an oxygen to aluminum (O/Al) molar ratio
of from about 0.25 to about 1.5, more particularly from about 0.5
to about 1.
Preparation of Catalyst Systems
The above catalyst compounds can be combined to form a catalyst
system. One or more (such as two or more) metal catalyst compounds
can be added together in a desired ratio when combined, contacted
with an activator, or contacted with a support material or a
supported activator. The metal catalyst compounds may be added to
the mixture sequentially or at the same time.
Alternative preparations can include addition of a first metal
catalyst compound to a slurry including a support or a supported
activator mixture for a specified reaction time, followed by the
addition of the second metal catalyst compound solution, mixed for
another specified time, after which the mixture may be recovered
for use in a polymerization reactor, such as by spray drying.
Lastly, another additive, such as 1-hexene in about 10 vol % can be
present in the mixture prior to the addition of the metal catalyst
compound.
The catalyst compound may be supported via contact with a support
material for a reaction time. The resulting supported catalyst
composition may then be mixed with diluent to form a slurry, which
may or may not include an activator. The slurry may then be
optionally admixed with a second metal catalyst compound prior to
introduction of the resulting mixed catalyst system to a
polymerization reactor. The second metal catalyst compound may be
admixed at any point prior to introduction to the reactor, such as
in a polymerization feed vessel or in-line in a catalyst delivery
system.
The catalyst system may be formed by combining the catalyst
compound with a support and an activator, desirably in a first
diluent such as an alkane or toluene, to produce a supported,
activated catalyst compound. The supported activated catalyst
compound, either isolated from the first diluent or not, is then
combined in one embodiment with a high viscosity diluent such as
mineral or silicon oil, or an alkane diluent comprising from 5 to
99 wt % mineral or silicon oil to form a slurry of the supported
metal catalyst compound, followed by, or simultaneous to combining
with an optional second metal catalyst compound (for example, a
metal catalyst compound useful for producing a second polymer
attribute, such as a low molecular weight polymer fraction or low
comonomer content), either in a diluent or as the dry solid
compound, to form a supported activated mixed catalyst system. In
one embodiment, the diluent consists of mineral oil.
Mineral oil, or "high viscosity diluents," as used herein refers to
petroleum hydrocarbons and mixtures of hydrocarbons that may
include aliphatic, aromatic, and/or paraffinic components that are
liquids at 23.degree. C. and above, and typically have a molecular
weight of at least 300 amu to 500 amu or more, and a viscosity at
40.degree. C. of from 40 to 300 cSt or greater, or from 50 to 200
cSt in a particular embodiment. The term "mineral oil" includes
synthetic oils or liquid polymers, polybutenes, refined naphthenic
hydrocarbons, and refined paraffins known in the art, such as
disclosed in BLUE BOOK 2001, MATERIALS, COMPOUNDING INGREDIENTS,
MACHINERY AND SERVICES FOR RUBBER 189 247 (J. H. Lippincott, D. R.
Smith, K. Kish & B. Gordon eds. Lippincott & Peto Inc.
2001). Preferred mineral and silicon oils are those that exclude
moieties that are reactive with metallocene catalysts, examples of
which include hydroxyl and carboxyl groups.
The diluent may comprise a blend of a mineral, silicon oil, and/or
and a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 to
C.sub.10 alkanes, C.sub.6 to C.sub.20 aromatic hydrocarbons,
C.sub.7 to C.sub.21 alkyl-substituted hydrocarbons, and mixtures
thereof. When the diluent is a blend comprising mineral oil, the
diluent may comprise from 5 to 99 wt % mineral oil. In some
embodiments, the diluent may consist essentially of mineral
oil.
In one embodiment, the catalyst compound is combined with an
activator and a first diluent to form a catalyst slurry that is
then combined with a support material. Until such contact is made,
the support particles are preferably not previously activated. The
catalyst compound can be in any desirable form such as a dry
powder, suspension in a diluent, solution in a diluent, liquid,
etc. The catalyst slurry and support particles are then mixed
thoroughly, in one embodiment at an elevated temperature, so that
both the catalyst compound and the activator are deposited on the
support particles to form a support slurry.
A wide range of mixing temperatures may be used at various stages
of making the catalyst system. For example, in a specific
embodiment, when the catalyst compound and at least one activator,
such as methylalumoxane, are combined with a first diluent to form
a mixture, the mixture is preferably, heated to a first temperature
of from 25.degree. C. to 150.degree. C., preferably, from
50.degree. C. to 125.degree. C., more preferably, from 75.degree.
C. to 100.degree. C., most preferably, from 80.degree. C. to
100.degree. C. and stirred for a period of time from 30 seconds to
12 hours, preferably, from 1 minute to 6 hours, more preferably,
from 10 minutes to 4 hours, and most preferably, from 30 minutes to
3 hours.
Next, that mixture is combined with a support material to provide a
first support slurry. The support material can be heated, or
dehydrated if desired, prior to combining. In one or more
embodiments, the first support slurry is mixed at a temperature
greater than 50.degree. C., preferably, greater than 70.degree. C.,
more preferably, greater than 80.degree. C. and most preferably,
greater than 85.degree. C., for a period of time from 30 seconds to
12 hours, preferably, from 1 minute to 6 hours, more preferably,
from 10 minutes to 4 hours, and most preferably, from 30 minutes to
3 hours. Preferably, the support slurry is mixed for a time
sufficient to provide a collection of activated support particles
that have the first metal catalyst compound deposited thereto. The
first diluent can then be removed from the first support slurry to
provide a dried supported first catalyst compound. For example, the
first diluent can be removed under vacuum or by nitrogen purge.
Optionally, a second catalyst compound is combined with the
activated the first catalyst compound in the presence of a diluent
comprising mineral or silicon oil in one embodiment. Preferably,
the second catalyst compound is added in a molar ratio to the first
metal catalyst compound in the range from 1:1 to 3:1. Most
preferably, the molar ratio is approximately 1:1. The resultant
slurry (or first support slurry) is preferably, heated to a first
temperature from 25.degree. C. to 150.degree. C., preferably, from
50.degree. C. to 125.degree. C., more preferably, from 75.degree.
C. to 100.degree. C., most preferably, from 80.degree. C. to
100.degree. C. and stirred for a period of time from 30 seconds to
12 hours, preferably, from 1 minute to 6 hours, more preferably,
from 10 minutes to 4 hours, and most preferably, from 30 minutes to
3 hours.
The first diluent is an aromatic or alkane, preferably, hydrocarbon
diluent having a boiling point of less than 200.degree. C. such as
toluene, xylene, hexane, etc., may be removed from the supported
first metal catalyst compound under vacuum or by nitrogen purge to
provide a supported mixed catalyst system. Even after addition of
the oil and/or the second (or other) catalyst compound, it may be
desirable to treat the slurry to further remove any remaining
solvents such as toluene. This can be accomplished by an N.sub.2
purge or vacuum, for example. Depending upon the level of mineral
oil added, the resultant catalyst system may still be a slurry or
may be a free flowing powder that comprises an amount of mineral
oil. Thus, the catalyst system, while a slurry of solids in mineral
oil in one embodiment, may take any physical form such as a free
flowing solid. For example, the catalyst system may range from 1 to
99 wt % solids content by weight of the catalyst system (mineral
oil, support, all catalyst compounds and activator(s)) in one
embodiment.
Polymerization Processes
In at least one embodiment, a polymerization process includes
contacting a monomer (such as ethylene), and, optionally, comonomer
(such as hexene), with a supported catalyst system comprising a
group 4 (such as Hf) metallocene compound, an activator, and a
support material as described above.
Monomers useful herein include substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.2
to C.sub.40 alpha olefins, preferably, C.sub.2 to C.sub.20 alpha
olefins, preferably, C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 alpha olefins, preferably,
ethylene, propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, heptene, octene,
nonene, decene, undecene, dodecene and isomers thereof. In a
preferred embodiment, the monomers comprise ethylene and, optional,
comonomers comprising one or more C.sub.3 to C.sub.40 olefins,
preferably, C.sub.4 to C.sub.20 olefins, or preferably, C.sub.6 to
C.sub.12 olefins. The C.sub.3 to C.sub.40 olefin monomers may be
linear, branched, or cyclic. The C.sub.3 to C.sub.40 cyclic olefins
may be strained or unstrained, monocyclic or polycyclic, and may,
optionally, include heteroatoms and/or one or more functional
groups.
Exemplary C.sub.3 to C.sub.40 comonomers include propylene, butene,
pentene, hexene, heptene, octene, nonene, decene, undecene,
dodecene, norbornene, norbornadiene, dicyclopentadiene,
cyclopentene, cycloheptene, cyclooctene, cyclooctadiene,
cyclododecene, 7-oxanorbornene, 7-oxanorbornadiene, substituted
derivatives thereof, and isomers thereof, preferably, hexene,
heptene, octene, nonene, decene, dodecene, cyclooctene,
1,5-cyclooctadiene, 1-hydroxy-4-cyclooctene,
1-acetoxy-4-cyclooctene, 5-methylcyclopentene, cyclopentene,
dicyclopentadiene, norbornene, norbornadiene, and their respective
homologs and derivatives.
In a preferred embodiment one or more dienes are present in the
polymer produced herein at up to 10 wt %, preferably, at 0.00001 to
1.0 wt %, preferably, 0.002 to 0.5 wt %, even more preferably,
0.003 to 0.2 wt %, based upon the total weight of the composition.
In some embodiments 500 ppm or less of diene is added to the
polymerization, preferably, 400 ppm or less, preferably, or 300 ppm
or less. In other embodiments, at least 50 ppm of diene is added to
the polymerization, or 100 ppm or more, or 150 ppm or more.
Preferred diolefin monomers include any hydrocarbon structure,
preferably, C.sub.4 to C.sub.30, having at least two unsaturated
bonds, wherein at least two of the unsaturated bonds are readily
incorporated into a polymer by either a stereospecific or a
non-stereospecific catalyst(s). It is further preferred that the
diolefin monomers be selected from alpha, omega-diene monomers
(i.e., di-vinyl monomers). More preferably, the diolefin monomers
are linear di-vinyl monomers, most preferably, those containing
from 4 to 30 carbon atoms. Examples of preferred dienes include
butadiene, pentadiene, hexadiene, heptadiene, octadiene, nonadiene,
decadiene, undecadiene, dodecadiene, tridecadiene, tetradecadiene,
pentadecadiene, hexadecadiene, heptadecadiene, octadecadiene,
nonadecadiene, icosadiene, heneicosadiene, docosadiene,
tricosadiene, tetracosadiene, pentacosadiene, hexacosadiene,
heptacosadiene, octacosadiene, nonacosadiene, triacontadiene,
particularly preferred dienes include 1,6-heptadiene,
1,7-octadiene, 1,8-nonadiene, 1,9-decadiene, 1,10-undecadiene,
1,11-dodecadiene, 1,12-tridecadiene, 1,13-tetradecadiene, and low
molecular weight polybutadienes (Mw less than 1000 g/mol).
Preferred cyclic dienes include cyclopentadiene, vinylnorbornene,
norbornadiene, ethylidene norbornene, divinylbenzene,
dicyclopentadiene or higher ring containing diolefins with or
without substituents at various ring positions.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a process provides
polymerization of ethylene and at least one comonomer having from 3
to 8 carbon atoms, preferably, 4 to 8 carbon atoms. Particularly,
the comonomers are propylene, 1-butene, 4-methyl-1-pentene,
3-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene and 1-octene, the most preferred being
1-hexene, 1-butene and 1-octene.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, a process provides
polymerization of one or more monomers selected from the group
consisting of propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-pentene,
4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, and combinations
thereof.
Polymerization processes of the present disclosure can be carried
out in any suitable manner known in the art. Any suspension,
homogeneous, bulk, solution, slurry, or gas phase polymerization
process known in the art can be used. Such processes can be run in
a batch, semi-batch, or continuous mode. Gas phase polymerization
processes and slurry processes are preferred. (A homogeneous
polymerization process is a process where at least 90 wt % of the
product is soluble in the reaction media.) A bulk homogeneous
process is particularly preferred. (A bulk process is a process
where monomer concentration in all feeds to the reactor is 70
volume % or more.) Alternatively, no solvent or diluent is present
or added in the reaction medium (except for the small amounts used
as the carrier for the catalyst system or other additives, or
amounts typically found with the monomer; e.g., propane in
propylene).
In another embodiment, the process is a slurry process. As used
herein, the term "slurry polymerization process" means a
polymerization process where a supported catalyst is employed and
monomers are polymerized on the supported catalyst particles. At
least 95 wt % of polymer products derived from the supported
catalyst are in granular form as solid particles (not dissolved in
the diluent).
Suitable diluents/solvents for polymerization include
non-coordinating, inert liquids. Examples include straight and
branched-chain hydrocarbons, such as isobutane, butane, pentane,
isopentane, hexanes, isohexane, heptane, octane, dodecane, and
mixtures thereof; cyclic and alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as
cyclohexane, cycloheptane, methylcyclohexane, methylcycloheptane,
and mixtures thereof, such as can be found commercially
(Isopar.TM.); perhalogenated hydrocarbons, such as perfluorided
C.sub.4-10 alkanes, chlorobenzene, and aromatic and
alkylsubstituted aromatic compounds, such as benzene, toluene,
mesitylene, and xylene. Suitable solvents also include liquid
olefins, which may act as monomers or comonomers, including
ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-pentene,
3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene, 1-decene, and
mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, aliphatic hydrocarbon
solvents are used as the solvent, such as isobutane, butane,
pentane, isopentane, hexanes, isohexane, heptane, octane, dodecane,
and mixtures thereof; cyclic and alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as
cyclohexane, cycloheptane, methylcyclohexane, methylcycloheptane,
and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the solvent is not
aromatic, preferably, aromatics are present in the solvent at less
than 1 wt %, preferably, less than 0.5 wt %, preferably, less than
0 wt % based upon the weight of the solvents.
Gas Phase Polymerization
Generally, in a fluidized gas bed process used for producing
polymers, a gaseous stream containing one or more monomers is
continuously cycled through a fluidized bed in the presence of a
catalyst under reactive conditions. The gaseous stream is withdrawn
from the fluidized bed and recycled back into the reactor.
Simultaneously, polymer product is withdrawn from the reactor and
fresh monomer is added to replace the polymerized monomer. (See,
for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,543,399; 4,588,790; 5,028,670;
5,317,036; 5,352,749; 5,405,922; 5,436,304; 5,453,471; 5,462,999;
5,616,661; and 5,668,228, all of which are fully incorporated
herein by reference.)
This invention also relates to a process for the production of an
ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer comprising: polymerizing ethylene
and at least one alpha-olefin by contacting the ethylene and the at
least one alpha-olefin with a catalyst system as described herein
in at least one gas phase reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7
to 70 bar and a reactor temperature of from 20.degree. C. to
150.degree. C. to form an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer.
This invention also relates to an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer
obtained by contacting ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin, and a
catalyst system as described herein in at least one gas-phase
reactor, the copolymer having a density of 0.890 g/cc or more (ASTM
D 1505), a melt flow index from 0.1 to 80 g/10 min (ASTM 1238,
190.degree. C., 2.16 kg), and a Mw/Mn from 2 to 12.5, preferably
2.5 to 12, preferably 2 to 7.
Slurry Phase Polymerization
A slurry polymerization process generally operates between 1 to
about 50 atmosphere pressure range (15 psi to 735 psi, 103 kPa to
5068 kPa) or even greater and temperatures in the range of
0.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. In a slurry polymerization, a
suspension of solid, particulate polymer is formed in a liquid
polymerization diluent medium to which monomer and comonomers,
along with catalysts, are added. The suspension including diluent
is intermittently or continuously removed from the reactor where
the volatile components are separated from the polymer and
recycled, optionally after a distillation, to the reactor. The
liquid diluent employed in the polymerization medium is typically
an alkane having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably a branched
alkane. The medium employed should be liquid under the conditions
of polymerization and relatively inert. When a propane medium is
used, the process must be operated above the reaction diluent
critical temperature and pressure. Preferably, a hexane or an
isobutane medium is employed.
This invention also relates to a process for the production of an
ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer comprising: polymerizing ethylene
and at least one alpha-olefin by contacting the ethylene and the at
least one alpha-olefin with a catalyst system described herein in
at least one slurry phase reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7
to 70 bar and a reactor temperature of from 60.degree. C. to
130.degree. C. to form an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer.
This invention also relates to an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer
obtained by contacting ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin, and a
catalyst system described herein in at least one slurry phase
reactor, the copolymer having a density of 0.890 g/cc or more (ASTM
D 1505), a melt flow index from 0.1 to 80 g/10 min (ASTM 1238,
190.degree. C., 2.16 kg), and an Mw/Mn from 2 to 12.
Polyolefin Products
The present disclosure further provides compositions of matter
produced by the methods of the present disclosure.
In a preferred embodiment, the process described herein produces
ethylene homopolymers or ethylene copolymers, such as
ethylene-alpha-olefin (preferably C.sub.3 to C.sub.20) copolymers
(such as ethylene-butene copolymers, ethylene-hexene and/or
ethylene-octene copolymers).
Likewise, processes of the present disclosure can form ethylene
copolymers. In a preferred embodiment, the copolymers produced
herein have from 0 to 25 mol % (alternatively from 0.5 to 20 mol %,
alternatively from 1 to 15 mol %, preferably from 3 to 10 mol %) of
one or more C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 olefin comonomer (preferably
C.sub.3 to C.sub.12 alpha-olefin, preferably propylene, butene,
hexene, octene, decene, dodecene, preferably propylene, butene,
hexene, octene).
In a preferred embodiment, the monomer is ethylene and the
comonomer is hexene, preferably from 1 to 15 mol % hexene,
alternatively 1 to 10 mol %.
In particular, the present disclosure provides an in-situ ethylene
polymer composition having: 1) at least 50 mol % ethylene; and 2) a
density of 0.89 g/cc or more, preferably 0.910 g/cc or more (ASTM
1505). The copolymer produced herein preferably has a composition
distribution breadth T.sub.75-T.sub.25, as measured by TREF, that
is greater than 20.degree. C., preferably greater than 30.degree.
C., preferably greater than 40.degree. C. The T.sub.75-T.sub.25
value represents the homogeneity of the composition distribution as
determined by temperature rising elution fractionation. A TREF
curve is produced as described below. Then the temperature at which
75% of the polymer is eluted is subtracted from the temperature at
which 25% of the polymer is eluted, as determined by the
integration of the area under the TREF curve. The T.sub.75-T.sub.25
value represents the difference. The closer these temperatures
comes together, the narrower the composition distribution.
In particular, the present disclosure provides an in-situ ethylene
polymer composition having: 1) at least 50 mol % ethylene; and 2) a
density of 0.89 g/cc or more, preferably having a density of 0.89
g/cc or more (alternately 0.90 g/cc or more, 0.908 g/cc or more,
0.91 g/cc or more, 0.918 g/cc or more, or 0.935 g/cc or more).
Typically, the polymers produced herein have an Mw of 5,000 to
1,000,000 g/mol (preferably 25,000 to 750,000 g/mol, preferably
50,000 to 500,000 g/mol), and/or an Mw/Mn of greater than 1 to 40
(alternatively 1.5 to 20, alternatively 2 to 12, alternatively 2 to
10, alternatively 2.5 to 7) as determined by GPC-4D.
In a preferred embodiment, the polymer produced herein has a
unimodal or multimodal molecular weight distribution as determined
by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). By "unimodal" is meant that
the GPC trace has one peak or two inflection points. By
"multimodal" is meant that the GPC trace has at least two peaks or
more than 2 inflection points. An inflection point is that point
where the second derivative of the curve changes in sign (e.g.,
from negative to positive or vice versa).
In a preferred embodiment, the polymer produced herein has a
bimodal molecular weight distribution as determined by Gel
Permeation Chromatography (GPC). By "bimodal" is meant that the GPC
trace has two peaks or at least 4 inflection points.
In another embodiment, the polymer produced herein has one, two or
more peaks in the TREF measurement (see below). Two or more peaks
in the TREF measurement as used in this specification and the
appended claims is the presence of two or more distinct normalized
IR response peaks in a graph of normalized IR (infrared) response
(vertical or y axis) versus elution temperature (horizontal or x
axis with temperature increasing from left to right) using the TREF
method below. A "peak" in this context means where the general
slope of the graph changes from positive to negative with
increasing temperature. Between the two peaks is a local minimum in
which the general slope of the graph changes from negative to
positive with increasing temperature. "General trend" of the graph
is intended to exclude the multiple local minimums and maximums
that can occur in intervals of 2.degree. C. or less. Preferably,
the distinct peaks are at least 3.degree. C. apart, more preferably
at least 4.degree. C. apart, even more preferably at least
5.degree. C. apart. Additionally, the distinct peaks occur at a
temperature on the graph above 20.degree. C. and below 120.degree.
C. where the elution temperature is run to 0.degree. C. or lower.
This avoids confusion with the apparent peak on the graph at low
temperature caused by material that remains soluble at the lowest
elution temperature. Multiple peaks on such a graph indicates a
multi-modal composition distribution (CD). An alternate method for
TREF measurement can be used if the method below does not show two
peaks, i.e., see B. Monrabal, "Crystallization Analysis
Fractionation: A New Technique for the Analysis of Branching
Distribution in Polyolefins," Journal of Applied Polymer Science,
Vol. 52, 491-499 (1994).
TREF Method
Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation (TREF) analysis is done
using a Crystallization Elution Fractionation (CEF) instrument from
Polymer Char, S.A., Valencia, Spain. The principles of CEF analysis
and a general description of the particular apparatus used are
given in the article Monrabal, B. et al. Crystallization Elution
Fractionation. A New Separation Process for Polyolefin Resins.
Macromol. Symp. 2007, 257, 71. In particular, a process conforming
to the "TREF separation process" shown in FIG. 1a of this article,
in which Fc=0, was used. Pertinent details of the analysis method
and features of the apparatus used are as follows.
The solvent used for preparing the sample solution and for elution
was 1,2-Dichlorobenzene (ODCB) which was stabilized by dissolving
1.6 g of 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methylphenol (butylated
hydroxytoluene) in a 4-L bottle of fresh solvent at ambient
temperature. The stabilized solvent was then filtered using a
0.1-.mu.m Teflon filter (Millipore). The sample (6-10 mg) to be
analyzed was dissolved in 8 ml of ODCB metered at ambient
temperature by stirring (Medium setting) at 150.degree. C. for 90
min. A small volume of the polymer solution was first filtered by
an inline filter (stainless steel, 10 .mu.m), which is back-flushed
after every filtration. The filtrate was then used to completely
fill a 200-.mu.l injection-valve loop. The volume in the loop was
then introduced near the center of the CEF column (15-cm long SS
tubing, 3/8'' o.d., 7.8 mm i.d.) packed with an inert support (SS
balls) at 140.degree. C., and the column temperature was stabilized
at 125.degree. C. for 20 min. The sample volume was then allowed to
crystallize in the column by reducing the temperature to 0.degree.
C. at a cooling rate of 1.degree. C./min. The column was kept at
0.degree. C. for 10 min before injecting the ODCB flow (1 ml/min)
into the column for 10 min to elute and measure the polymer that
did not crystallize (soluble fraction). The wide-band channel of
the infrared detector used (Polymer Char IR5) generates an
absorbance signal that is proportional to the concentration of
polymer in the eluting flow. A complete TREF curve was then
generated by increasing the temperature of the column from 0 to
140.degree. C. at a rate of 2.degree. C./min while maintaining the
ODCB flow at 1 ml/min to elute and measure the concentration of the
dissolving polymer.
GPC-4D Procedure: Molecular Weight, Comonomer Composition and Long
Chain Branching Determination by GPC-IR Hyphenated with Multiple
Detectors
Unless otherwise indicated, the distributions and the moments of
molecular weight (Mw, Mn, Mw/Mn, etc.), the comonomer content
(C.sub.2, C.sub.3, C.sub.6, etc.) and the branching index (g'vis)
are determined by using a high temperature Gel Permeation
Chromatography (Polymer Char GPC-IR) equipped with a
multiple-channel band-filter based Infrared detector IR5, an
18-angle light scattering detector and a viscometer. Three Agilent
PLgel 10-.mu.m Mixed-B LS columns are used to provide polymer
separation. Aldrich reagent grade 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) with
300 ppm antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is used as the
mobile phase. The TCB mixture is filtered through a 0.1-.mu.m
Teflon filter and degassed with an online degasser before entering
the GPC instrument. The nominal flow rate is 1.0 ml/min and the
nominal injection volume is 200 .mu.L. The whole system including
transfer lines, columns, and detectors are contained in an oven
maintained at 145.degree. C. The polymer sample is weighed and
sealed in a standard vial with 80-.mu.L flow marker (Heptane) added
to it. After loading the vial in the autosampler, polymer is
automatically dissolved in the instrument with 8 ml added TCB
solvent. The polymer is dissolved at 160.degree. C. with continuous
shaking for about 1 hour for most PE samples or 2 hour for PP
samples. The TCB densities used in concentration calculation are
1.463 g/ml at room temperature and 1.284 g/ml at 145.degree. C. The
sample solution concentration is from 0.2 to 2.0 mg/ml, with lower
concentrations being used for higher molecular weight samples. The
concentration (c), at each point in the chromatogram is calculated
from the baseline-subtracted IR5 broadband signal intensity (I),
using the following equation: c=.beta.I, where .beta. is the mass
constant. The mass recovery is calculated from the ratio of the
integrated area of the concentration chromatography over elution
volume and the injection mass which is equal to the pre-determined
concentration multiplied by injection loop volume. The conventional
molecular weight (IR MW) is determined by combining universal
calibration relationship with the column calibration which is
performed with a series of monodispersed polystyrene (PS) standards
ranging from 700 to 10M gm/mole. The MW at each elution volume is
calculated with following equation:
.times..times..function..times..times..times. ##EQU00001## where
the variables with subscript "PS" stand for polystyrene while those
without a subscript are for the test samples. In this method,
.alpha..sub.PS=0.67 and K.sub.PS=0.000175 while .alpha. and K are
for other materials as calculated and published in literature (Sun,
T. et al. Macromolecules 2001, 34, 6812), except that for purposes
of the present disclosure, .alpha.=0.695 and K=0.000579 for linear
ethylene polymers, .alpha.=0.705 and K=0.0002288 for linear
propylene polymers, .alpha.=0.695 and K=0.000181 for linear butene
polymers, .alpha. is 0.695 and K is
0.000579*(1-0.0087*w2b+0.000018*(w2b){circumflex over ( )}2) for
ethylene-butene copolymer where w2b is a bulk weight percent of
butene comonomer, .alpha. is 0.695 and K is 0.000579*(1-0.0075*w2b)
for ethylene-hexene copolymer where w2b is a bulk weight percent of
hexene comonomer, and .alpha. is 0.695 and K is
0.000579*(1-0.0077*w2b) for ethylene-octene copolymer where w2b is
a bulk weight percent of octene comonomer. Concentrations are
expressed in g/cm.sup.3, molecular weight is expressed in g/mole,
and intrinsic viscosity (hence K in the Mark-Houwink equation) is
expressed in dL/g unless otherwise noted.
The comonomer composition is determined by the ratio of the IR5
detector intensity corresponding to CH.sub.2 and CH.sub.3 channel
calibrated with a series of PE and PP homo/copolymer standards
whose nominal value are predetermined by NMR or FTIR. In
particular, this provides the methyls per 1000 total carbons
(CH.sub.3/1000TC) as a function of molecular weight. The
short-chain branch (SCB) content per 1000TC (SCB/1000TC) is then
computed as a function of molecular weight by applying a chain-end
correction to the CH.sub.3/1000TC function, assuming each chain to
be linear and terminated by a methyl group at each end. The weight
% comonomer is then obtained from the following expression in which
f is 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and so on for C.sub.3, C.sub.4, C.sub.6,
C.sub.8, and so on co-monomers, respectively: w2=f*SCB/1000TC. The
bulk composition of the polymer from the GPC-IR and GPC-4D analyses
is obtained by considering the entire signals of the CH.sub.3 and
CH.sub.2 channels between the integration limits of the
concentration chromatogram. First, the following ratio is
obtained
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..ti-
mes..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times.-
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times. ##EQU00002## Then
the same calibration of the CH.sub.3 and CH.sub.2 signal ratio, as
mentioned previously in obtaining the CH3/1000TC as a function of
molecular weight, is applied to obtain the bulk CH3/1000TC. A bulk
methyl chain ends per 1000TC (bulk CH3end/1000TC) is obtained by
weight-averaging the chain-end correction over the molecular-weight
range. Then w2b=f*bulk CH3/1000TC bulk SCB/1000TC=bulk
CH3/1000TC-bulk CH3end/1000TC, and bulk SCB/1000TC is converted to
bulk w2 in the same manner as described above.
The LS detector is the 18-angle Wyatt Technology High Temperature
DAWN HELEOSII. The LS molecular weight (M) at each point in the
chromatogram is determined by analyzing the LS output using the
Zimm model for static light scattering (Light Scattering from
Polymer Solutions; Huglin, M. B., Ed.; Academic Press, 1972.):
.times..DELTA..times..times..function..theta..function..theta..times..tim-
es. ##EQU00003## Here, .DELTA.R(.theta.) is the measured excess
Rayleigh scattering intensity at scattering angle .theta., c is the
polymer concentration determined from the IR5 analysis, A.sub.2 is
the second virial coefficient, P(.theta.) is the form factor for a
monodisperse random coil, and K.sub.o is the optical constant for
the system:
.times..pi..times..function..times..times..lamda..times.
##EQU00004## where N.sub.A is Avogadro's number, and (dn/dc) is the
refractive index increment for the system. The refractive index,
n=1.500 for TCB at 145.degree. C. and .lamda.=665 nm. For analyzing
polyethylene homopolymers, ethylene-hexene copolymers, and
ethylene-octene copolymers, dn/dc=0.1048 ml/mg and A.sub.2=0.0015;
for analyzing ethylene-butene copolymers,
dn/dc=0.1048*(1-0.00126*w2) ml/mg and A.sub.2=0.0015 where w2 is
weight percent butene comonomer.
A high temperature Agilent (or Viscotek Corporation) viscometer,
which has four capillaries arranged in a Wheatstone bridge
configuration with two pressure transducers, is used to determine
specific viscosity. One transducer measures the total pressure drop
across the detector, and the other, positioned between the two
sides of the bridge, measures a differential pressure. The specific
viscosity, .eta..sub.s, for the solution flowing through the
viscometer is calculated from their outputs. The intrinsic
viscosity, [.eta.], at each point in the chromatogram is calculated
from the equation [.eta.]=.eta..sub.s/c, where c is concentration
and is determined from the IR5 broadband channel output. The
viscosity MW at each point is calculated as
M=K.sub.PSM.sup..alpha..sup.PS.sup.+1/[.eta.], where .alpha..sub.PS
is 0.67 and K.sub.PS is 0.000175.
The branching index (g'.sub.vis) is calculated using the output of
the GPC-IR5-LS-VIS method as follows. The average intrinsic
viscosity, [.eta.].sub.avg, of the sample is calculated by:
.eta..function..eta. ##EQU00005## where the summations are over the
chromatographic slices, i, between the integration limits. The
branching index g'.sub.vis is defined as
'.eta..alpha. ##EQU00006## where M.sub.V is the viscosity-average
molecular weight based on molecular weights determined by LS
analysis and the K and a are for the reference linear polymer,
which are, for purposes of the present disclosure, .alpha.=0.695
and K=0.000579 for linear ethylene polymers, .alpha.=0.705 and
K=0.0002288 for linear propylene polymers, .alpha.=0.695 and
K=0.000181 for linear butene polymers, .alpha. is 0.695 and K is
0.000579*(1-0.0087*w2b+0.000018*(w2b){circumflex over ( )}2) for
ethylene-butene copolymer where w2b is a bulk weight percent of
butene comonomer, .alpha. is 0.695 and K is 0.000579*(1-0.0075*w2b)
for ethylene-hexene copolymer where w2b is a bulk weight percent of
hexene comonomer, and .alpha. is 0.695 and K is
0.000579*(1-0.0077*w2b) for ethylene-octene copolymer where w2b is
a bulk weight percent of octene comonomer. Concentrations are
expressed in g/cm.sup.3, molecular weight is expressed in g/mole,
and intrinsic viscosity (hence K in the Mark-Houwink equation) is
expressed in dL/g unless otherwise noted. Calculation of the w2b
values is as discussed above.
The reversed-co-monomer index (RCI,m) is computed from x2 (mol %
co-monomer C.sub.3, C.sub.4, C.sub.6, C.sub.8, etc.), as a function
of molecular weight, where x2 is obtained from the following
expression in which n is the number of carbon atoms in the
comonomer (3 for C.sub.3, 4 for C.sub.4, 6 for C.sub.6, etc.)
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..ti-
mes..times..times..times. ##EQU00007## Then the molecular-weight
distribution, W(z) where z=log.sub.10 M, is modified to W'(z) by
setting to 0 the points in W that are less than 5% of the maximum
of W; this is to effectively remove points for which the S/N in the
composition signal is low. Also, points of W' for molecular weights
below 2000 gm/mole are set to 0. Then W' is renormalized so that
1=.intg..sub.-.infin..sup..infin.W'dz, and a modified
weight-average molecular weight (M.sub.w') is calculated over the
effectively reduced range of molecular weights as follows:
M.sub.w'=.intg..sub.-.infin..sup..infin.10.sup.z*W'dz. The RCI,m is
then computed as
RCI,m=.intg..sub.-.infin..sup..infin.x2(10.sup.z-M.sub.w')W'dz. A
reversed-co-monomer index (RCI,w) is also defined on the basis of
the weight fraction co-monomer signal (w2/100) and is computed as
follows:
.intg..infin..infin..times..times..times..times.'.times.'.times.
##EQU00008## Note that in the above definite integrals the limits
of integration are the widest possible for the sake of generality;
however, in reality the function is only integrated over a finite
range for which data is acquired, considering the function in the
rest of the non-acquired range to be 0. Also, by the manner in
which W' is obtained, it is possible that W' is a discontinuous
function, and the above integrations need to be done piecewise.
Three co-monomer distribution ratios are also defined on the basis
of the % weight (w2) comonomer signal, denoted as CDR-1,w, CDR-2,w,
and CDR-3,w, as follows:
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00009##
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00009.2##
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00009.3## where w2(Mw) is the % weight co-monomer signal
corresponding to a molecular weight of Mw, w2(Mz) is the % weight
co-monomer signal corresponding to a molecular weight of Mz,
w2[(Mw+Mn)/2)] is the % weight co-monomer signal corresponding to a
molecular weight of (Mw+Mn)/2, and w2[(Mz+Mw)/2] is the % weight
co-monomer signal corresponding to a molecular weight of Mz+Mw/2,
where Mw is the weight-average molecular weight, Mn is the
number-average molecular weight, and Mz is the z-average molecular
weight.
Accordingly, the co-monomer distribution ratios can be also defined
utilizing the % mole co-monomer signal, CDR-1,m, CDR-2,m, CDR-3,m,
as:
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00010##
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00010.2##
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00010.3## where x2(Mw) is the % mole co-monomer signal
corresponding to a molecular weight of Mw, x2(Mz) is the % mole
co-monomer signal corresponding to a molecular weight of Mz,
x2[(Mw+Mn)/2)] is the % mole co-monomer signal corresponding to a
molecular weight of (Mw+Mn)/2, and x2[(Mz+Mw)/2] is the % mole
co-monomer signal corresponding to a molecular weight of Mz+Mw/2,
where Mw is the weight-average molecular weight, Mn is the
number-average molecular weight, and Mz is the z-average molecular
weight. For purposes of the claims, GPC-4D shall be used for Mw,
Mn, Mz and g'vis. End Uses
The multi-modal polyolefin produced by the processes disclosed
herein and blends thereof are useful in such forming operations as
sheet and fiber extrusion and co-extrusion as well as blow molding,
injection molding, and rotary molding. Fibers include melt
spinning, solution spinning and melt blown fiber operations for use
in woven or non-woven form to make filters, diaper fabrics, medical
garments, geotextiles, etc. Extruded articles include medical
tubing, wire and cable coatings, pipe, geomembranes, and pond
liners. Molded articles include single and multi-layered
constructions in the form of bottles, tanks, large hollow articles,
rigid food containers and toys, etc.
Blends
The polymers produced herein may be further blended with additional
ethylene polymers (referred to as "second ethylene polymers" or
"second ethylene copolymers") and use in molded part and other
typical polyethylene applications.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, the second ethylene
polymer is selected from ethylene homopolymer, ethylene copolymers,
and blends thereof. Useful second ethylene copolymers can comprise
one or more comonomers in addition to ethylene and can be a random
copolymer, a statistical copolymer, a block copolymer, and/or
blends thereof. The method of making the second ethylene polymer is
not critical, as it can be made by slurry, solution, gas phase,
high pressure or other suitable processes, and by using catalyst
systems appropriate for the polymerization of polyethylenes, such
as Ziegler-Natta-type catalysts, chromium catalysts,
metallocene-type catalysts, other appropriate catalyst systems or
combinations thereof, or by free-radical polymerization. In a
preferred embodiment, the second ethylene polymers are made by the
catalysts, activators and processes described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,342,566; 6,384,142; 5,741,563; PCT Publication Nos. WO 03/040201;
and WO 97/19991. Such catalysts are well known in the art, and are
described in, for example, ZIEGLER CATALYSTS (Gerhard Fink, Rolf
Mulhaupt and Hans H. Brintzinger, eds., Springer-Verlag 1995);
Resconi et al.; and I, II METALLOCENE-BASED POLYOLEFINS (Wiley
& Sons 2000). Additional useful second ethylene polymers and
copolymers are described at paragraph [00118] to [00126] at pages
30 to 34 of PCT/US2016/028271, filed Apr. 19, 2016.
This invention further relates to:
1. A catalyst represented by Formula (I):
##STR00023## wherein: M is a group 4 metal; each of R.sup.1,
R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.8 is independently hydrogen,
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40
substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3,
--PR'.sub.2, --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; each of R.sup.5,
R.sup.5', R.sup.6, R.sup.6', R.sup.7 and R.sup.7' is independently
hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40
substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3,
--PR'.sub.2, --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl; each X is
independently a leaving group, or two Xs are joined and bound to
the metal atom to form a metallocycle ring, or two Xs are joined to
form a chelating ligand, a diene, or an alkylidene; and each of
R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11, R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 is hydrogen,
halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or C.sub.1-C.sub.40
substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR, --OSiR'.sub.3,
--PR'.sub.2, --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and where each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl, or R.sup.9 and
R.sup.10 or R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 together form a substituted or
unsubstituted 5-8 membered saturated or unsaturated cyclic or
multicyclic ring structure. 2. The catalyst of paragraph 1,
wherein: M is a group 4 metal; each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3,
R.sup.4, and R.sup.8 is independently hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.20 substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl,
halocarbyl or silylcarbyl; each of R.sup.5, R.sup.5', R.sup.6,
R.sup.6', R.sup.7 and R.sup.7' is independently hydrogen or a
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl; each X is independently a leaving group, or
two Xs are joined and bound to the metal atom to form a
metallocycle ring, or two Xs are joined to form a chelating ligand,
a diene, or an alkylidene; and each of R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11,
R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 is hydrogen or C.sub.1-C.sub.20 substituted
or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, or R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 or R.sup.12
and R.sup.13 together form a substituted or unsubstituted 5-8
membered saturated or unsaturated cyclic ring. 3. The catalyst of
paragraphs 1 or 2, wherein R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 together form an
unsaturated cyclic ring. 4. The catalyst of paragraph 3, wherein
the unsaturated cyclic ring is substituted with bromo or phenyl
which may be substituted or unsubstituted. 5. The catalyst of any
of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein R.sup.4 is selected from aryl, alkyl,
bromo, chloro, fluoro or --R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and R' is halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl or
C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl. 6. The catalyst of any of paragraphs 1 to 5,
wherein R.sup.12 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20 unsubstituted hydrocarbyl or
--R.sup.#--SiR'.sub.3, where R.sup.# is C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl and
R' is halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl,
preferably R.sup.12 is butyl. 7. The catalyst of any of paragraphs
1 to 6, wherein R.sup.2 is C.sub.1-C.sub.20 unsubstituted
hydrocarbyl. 8. The catalyst of paragraph 7, wherein R.sup.2 is
methyl. 9. The catalyst of any of paragraphs 1 to 6, wherein
R.sup.2 is hydrogen. 10. The catalyst of paragraph 1, wherein the
catalyst is represented by Formula (II):
##STR00024## wherein: each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and
R.sup.4 is independently halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.40 hydrocarbyl or
C.sub.1-C.sub.40 substituted hydrocarbyl, --NR'.sub.2, --SR', --OR,
--OSiR'.sub.3, --PR'.sub.2, where each R' is hydrogen, halogen,
C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, or C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aryl. 11. The catalyst
of paragraph 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from:
##STR00025## ##STR00026## ##STR00027## ##STR00028## 12. The
catalyst of paragraph 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from:
##STR00029## ##STR00030## ##STR00031## ##STR00032## ##STR00033##
##STR00034## ##STR00035## ##STR00036## ##STR00037## ##STR00038##
##STR00039## 13. A catalyst system comprising: a catalyst of any of
paragraphs 1 to 12; a support material; and an activator. 14. The
catalyst system of paragraph 13, wherein the support material is
selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina,
silica-alumina, zirconia, and combinations thereof. 15. The
catalyst system of paragraphs 13 or 14, wherein the activator
comprises alumoxane or a non-coordinating anion. 16. The catalyst
system of any of paragraphs 14 to 15, wherein the activator is
methylalumoxane. 17. The catalyst system of any of paragraphs 13 to
16, wherein the support is a silica aluminate and comprises an
electron withdrawing anion such as fluoride or sulphate. 18. The
catalyst system of any of paragraphs 13 to 17, wherein the support
is treated with an alkyl aluminum. 19. The catalyst system of any
of paragraphs 13 to 18, wherein the catalyst represented by formula
(I) is present in the catalyst system as at least two isomers. 20.
The catalyst system of any of paragraphs 13 to 19 wherein the
support is silica. 21. The catalyst system of any of paragraphs 13
to 20, wherein the activator is one or more of:
N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate,
N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate,
N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate,
N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium
tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate,
[Me.sub.3NH+][B(C.sub.6F.sub.5).sub.4.sup.-],
1-(4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)
pyrrolidinium,
1-(4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)
pyrrolidinium, sodium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, potassium
tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,
4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridinium,
sodium tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)aluminate, potassium
terakis(pentafluorophenyl), and N,N-dimethylanilinium
tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)aluminate. 22. A process for
polymerization of olefin monomers comprising contacting one or more
olefin monomers with a catalyst system of any of paragraphs 13 to
21. 23. The process of paragraph 22, wherein polymerization of the
olefin monomers forms linear low density polyethylene. 24. A
process for the production of an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer
comprising: polymerizing ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin by
contacting the ethylene and the at least one alpha-olefin with a
catalyst system of any of paragraphs 13 to 21 in at least one gas
phase reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7 to 70 bar and a
reactor temperature of from 20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. to form
an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer. 25. An ethylene alpha-olefin
copolymer obtained by contacting ethylene, at least one
alpha-olefin, and a catalyst system of any of paragraphs 13 to 21
in at least one gas-phase reactor, the copolymer having a density
of 0.890 g/cc or more, a melt flow index from 0.1 to 80 g/10 min,
and a Mw/Mn of 2 to 15. 26. An ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer
obtained by contacting ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin selected
from propylene, butene, pentene, hexene, heptene, octene, nonene,
decene, undecene, and dodecene, and a catalyst system of any of
paragraphs 13 to 21 in at least one gas-phase reactor, the
copolymer having a density of 0.890 g/cc or more, a melt flow index
from 0.1 to 80 g/10 min, and a Mw/Mn of 1.5 to 7. 27. The copolymer
of any of paragraphs 25 to 26, wherein the copolymer has an Mw
value of 50,000 to 1,000,000 g/mol. 28. A process for the
production of an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer comprising:
polymerizing ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin by contacting
the ethylene and the at least one alpha-olefin with a catalyst
system of any of paragraphs 13 to 21 in at least one slurry phase
reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7 to 70 bar and a reactor
temperature of from 60.degree. C. to 130.degree. C. to form an
ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer. 29. An ethylene alpha-olefin
copolymer obtained by contacting ethylene, at least one
alpha-olefin, and a catalyst system of any of paragraphs 13 to 21
in at least one slurry phase reactor, the copolymer having a
density of 0.890 g/cc or more, a melt flow index from 0.1 to 80
g/10 min, and an Mw/Mn from 2 to 12. 30. The catalyst of paragraph
11, wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are hydrogen, one of the R.sup.1
and R.sup.4 are hydrogen, or R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and at least one of
R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are hydrogen. Experimental General Procedure
for High Throughput Ethylene/1-hexene Polymerization and Polymer
Characterization (Table 1)
Unless stated otherwise ethylene homopolymerization and
ethylene-hexene copolymerizations are carried out in a parallel
pressure reactor, as generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,306,658; 6,455,316; PCT Publication No. WO 00/09255; and Murphy
et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2003, Vol. 125, pp. 4306-4317, each of
which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Although
specific quantities, temperatures, solvents, reactants, reactants
ratios, pressures, and other variables may need to be adjusted from
one reaction to the next, the following describes a typical
polymerization performed in a parallel, pressure reactor.
Preparation of Catalyst Slurry for High Throughput Run
In a dry box, 45 mg of supported catalyst is weighed into a 20 mL
glass vial. 15 mL of toluene is added to the vial to make a slurry
that contained 3 mg supported catalyst/mL slurry. The resulting
mixture is vortexed prior to injection.
Starting Material Preparations
Solvents, polymerization grade toluene and isohexane were supplied
by ExxonMobil Chemical Company and thoroughly dried and degassed
prior to use. Polymerization grade ethylene was used and further
purified by passing it through a series of columns: 500 cc Oxyclear
cylinder from Labclear (Oakland, Calif.) followed by a 500 cc
column packed with dried 3 .ANG. mole sieves purchased from Aldrich
Chemical Company, and a 500 cc column packed with dried 5 .ANG.
mole sieves purchased from Aldrich Chemical Company.
TnOAl (tri-n-octylaluminum, neat) was used as a 2 mmol/L solution
in toluene.
Polymerizations were conducted in an inert atmosphere (N.sub.2)
drybox using autoclaves equipped with an external heater for
temperature control, glass inserts (internal volume of reactor=22.5
mL), septum inlets, regulated supply of nitrogen, ethylene and
hexene, and equipped with disposable PEEK mechanical stirrers (800
RPM). The autoclaves were prepared by purging with dry nitrogen
prior to use.
Ethylene/1-hexene Copolymerization
The reactor was prepared as described above, and then purged with
ethylene. Isohexane, 1-hexene and TnOAl were added via syringe at
room temperature (approx. 23.degree. C.) and atmospheric pressure.
The reactor was then brought to process temperature (85.degree. C.)
and charged with ethylene to process pressure (130 psig=896 kPa)
while stirring at 800 RPM. The transition metal compound "TMC" (100
.mu.L of a 3 mg/mL toluene slurry, unless indicated otherwise) was
added via syringe with the reactor at process conditions. TnOAl was
used as 200 .mu.L of a 20 mmol/L in isohexane solution. Amounts of
reagents not specified above are given in Table 1. Ethylene was
allowed to enter (through the use of computer controlled solenoid
valves) the autoclaves during polymerization to maintain reactor
gauge pressure (+/-2 psig). Reactor temperature was monitored and
typically maintained within +/-1.degree. C. Polymerizations were
halted by addition of approximately 50 psi O.sub.2/Ar (5 mol % 02)
gas mixture to the autoclaves for approximately 30 seconds. The
polymerizations were quenched after a predetermined cumulative
amount of ethylene had been added or at a maximum of 45 minutes
polymerization time. In addition to the quench time for each run,
the reactors were cooled and vented. The polymer was isolated after
the solvent was removed in-vacuo. Yields reported include total
weight of polymer and residual catalyst. The resultant polymer was
analyzed by Rapid GPC to determine the molecular weight and by DSC
to determine the melting point.
To determine various molecular weight related values of the high
throughput samples by GPC, high temperature size exclusion
chromatography was performed using an automated "Rapid GPC" system.
This apparatus has a series of three 30 cm.times.7.5 mm linear
columns, each containing PLgel 10 um, Mix B. The GPC system was
calibrated using polystyrene standards ranging from 580-3,390,000
g/mol. The system was operated at an eluent flow rate of 2.0
mL/minutes and an oven temperature of 165.degree. C.
1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was used as the eluent. The polymer samples
were dissolved in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene at a concentration of
0.1-0.9 mg/mL. 250 uL of a polymer solution was injected into the
system. The concentration of the polymer in the eluent was
monitored using a Polymer Char IR4 detector. The molecular weights
presented are relative to linear polystyrene standards and are
uncorrected.
The amount of hexene incorporated in the polymers (wt %) was
estimated by rapid FTIR spectroscopy on a Bruker Vertex 70 IR in
reflection mode. Samples were prepared in a thin film format by
evaporative deposition techniques. Weight percent hexene was
obtained from the ratio of peak heights in the ranges of 1377-1382
cm.sup.-1 to 4300-4340 cm.sup.-1. This method was calibrated using
a set of ethylene hexene copolymers with a range of known wt %
hexene content.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements were performed
on a TA-Q200 instrument to determine the melting point of the
polymers. Samples were pre-annealed at 220.degree. C. for 15
minutes and then allowed to cool to room temperature overnight. The
samples were then heated to 220.degree. C. at a rate of 100.degree.
C./minutes and then cooled at a rate of 50.degree. C./min. Melting
points were collected during the heating period.
TABLE-US-00001 Catalyst A (n-butylCp)(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-
tetrahydro-s-indacenyl) ZrCl.sub.2 ##STR00040## Catalyst B
(Cp)(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s- indacenyl) ZrCl.sub.2
##STR00041## Catalyst C (n-butylCp)(2-methyl-4-bromo-1,5,6,7-
tetrahydro-s-indacenyl)ZrCl.sub.2 ##STR00042## Catalyst D
bis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s- indacenyl)ZrCl.sub.2
##STR00043## Catalyst E (n-butylCp)(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-
s-indacenyl) ZrCl.sub.2 ##STR00044## Catalyst F
bis(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s- indacenyl)ZrCl.sub.2
##STR00045## Catalyst G (1-butyl-3-methyl-Cp)(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-
tetrahydro-s-indacenyl) ZrCl.sub.2 ##STR00046## Catalyst H
(1-butyl-3-phenyl-Cp)(2-methyl-4-bromo-
1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl) ZrCl.sub.2 ##STR00047## Catalyst I
(1-Methyl-Ind)(2-methyl-4-bromo- 1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl)
ZrCl.sub.2 ##STR00048## Catalyst J
(n-ButylCp)(2,4-dimethyl-1,5,6,7-
tetrahydro-s-indacenyl)ZrCl.sub.2
Comparative Catalyst Compounds:
CC1 is Bis (1-n-butyl-3-methyl-Cp)ZrCl.sub.2, CC2 is
Bis(n-propylCp)HfMe.sub.2, and CC3 is
(n-butylCp)[(2-Me-4-(3',5'-di.sup.tBu-4'-MeO-phenyl)indenyl]ZrCl.sub.2.
Catalyst Synthesis
All reactions were performed in an inert N.sub.2 purged glove box
unless otherwise stated. All anhydrous solvents were purchased from
Sigma-Aldrich and were degassed and dried over molecular sieves
prior to use. Deutrated solvents were purchased from Cambridge
Isotope Laboratories and dried over molecular sieves prior to use.
2-Bromobutane, (1-bromoethyl)benzene, 2-bromopentane,
2-bromopropane, (1-bromopropan-2-yl)benzene, chlorotrimethylsilane,
iodoethane, methylmagnesium bromide (3 M solution in diethyl
ether), and n-butyl lithium (2.5 M solution in hexane) were
purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. (nBuCp)ZrCl.sub.3, CpZrCl.sub.3,
ZrCl.sub.4, HfCl.sub.4, tetrakis(dimethylamino)zirconium, and
lithium cyclopentadienide were purchased from Strem Chemicals and
used as received. 2-Me-4-phenyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene,
4-phenyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene and
2-Me-4-Br-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene were purchased from
GLSyntech and used as received. The .sup.1H NMR measurements were
recorded on a 400 MHz Bruker spectrometer.
EXPERIMENTAL
Synthesis of
(Butyl-cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-i-
ndacen-1-yl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride (Catalyst A)
##STR00049##
Lithium 2-Me-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide
To a stirring precooled solution of
2-Me-4-phenyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene (5.7 g, 23.14 mmol) in
diethyl ether (60 mL), n-butyllithium (2.5M solution in hexane, 10
mL, 25 mmol) was added. The reaction was stirred at room
temperature for 15 h. Volatiles were removed under a stream of
nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue was washed with
hexane (20 mL three times) and then concentrated in vacuo to afford
the product containing 0.03 eq. of diethyl ether (5.85 g).
(Butyl-cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-in-
dacen-1-yl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride
To a stirring solution of (nBuCp)ZrCl.sub.3 (1.25 g) in toluene (40
mL), the above lithium
2-Me-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide (1 g) was added.
The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 19 h. The mixture
was filtered and the filtrates were collected. The solution was
evaporated to dryness and the solid was washed with hexane (20 mL).
To the solid was added hexane (15 mL) and the mixture was stirred
at r.t. (room temperature) overnight. The precipitates were
collected and dried in vacuo to give the product (0.68 g). .sup.1H
NMR (400 MHz, CD.sub.2Cl.sub.2): .quadrature. 7.58-7.34 (m, 6H),
6.38 (m, 1H), 6.24 (m, 1H), 5.92 (m, 1H), 5.87 (m, 1H), 5.84 (m,
1H), 5.79 (m, 1H), 3.13-2.98 (m, 3H), 2.79-2.72 (m, 1H), 2.43 (m,
2H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.15-2.06 (m, 1H), 1.99-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.44-1.36
(m, 2H), 1.31-1.22 (m, 2H), 0.87 (t, 3H).
Synthesis of
(cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-
-1-yl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride (Catalyst B)
##STR00050##
(Cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen--
1-yl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride
To a stirring solution of CpZrCl.sub.3 (0.53 g) in toluene (15 mL),
the above lithium 2-Me-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide
(0.53 g) was added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature
for 24 h. The mixture was filtered and the filtrates were
collected. The solution was evaporated to dryness and the solid was
washed with hexane (10 mL three times). To the solid was added
toluene (1 mL) and hexane (25 mL) and the mixture was stirred at
r.t. overnight. The precipitates were collected and dried in vacuo
to give the product containing 0.08 eq. of toluene (0.51 g).
.sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, C.sub.6D.sub.6): .quadrature. 7.54-7.52 (m,
2H), 7.30-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.13 (m, 2H), 6.13-6.11 (m, 2H), 5.83
(m, 5H), 2.88-2.74 (m, 2H), 2.71-2.54 (m, 2H), 2.05 (s, 3H),
1.84-1.74 (m, 1H), 1.67-1.56 (m, 1H).
Synthesis of
(Butyl-cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(2-methyl-4-bromo-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-in-
dacen-1-yl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride (Catalyst C)
##STR00051##
Lithium 2-Me-4-Br-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide
To a stirring precooled solution of
2-Me-4-Br-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene (5 g, 20.07 mmol) in
diethyl ether (50 mL), n-butyllithium (2.5M solution in hexane, 8.4
mL, 21 mmol) was added. The reaction was stirred at room
temperature for 2 h. Volatiles were removed under a stream of
nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue was washed with
hexane (20 mL twice) and then concentrated in vacuo to afford the
crude product containing 0.08 eq. of diethyl ether (5.3 g). The
product was used without further purification.
(Butyl-cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(2-methyl-4-bromo-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-ind-
acen-1-yl)zirconium(IV) Dichloride
To a stirring solution of (nBuCp)ZrCl.sub.3 (1.22 g) in toluene (35
mL), the above lithium 2-Me-4-Br-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide
(1 g) was added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 5
d. The mixture was filtered and the filtrates were concentrated to
dryness. The residue was washed with hexane (5 mL four times) and
dried in vacuo to give the product (1.14 g). .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz,
CD.sub.2Cl.sub.2): .quadrature. 7.31 (m, 1H), 6.40 (m, 1H), 6.25
(m, 1H), 6.09 (m, 1H), 6.03 (m, 1H), 5.91 (m, 1H), 5.85 (m, 1H),
3.08-2.98 (m, 4H), 2.48 (m, 2H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.15-2.07 (m, 2H),
1.46-1.39 (m, 2H), 1.34-1.25 (m, 2H), 0.89 (t, 3H).
Synthesis of
Bis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)zirconium(IV)
Dichloride (Catalyst D)
##STR00052##
Bis(2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)
Zirconium(IV) Dichloride
Toluene (30 mL) was added to a solid mixture of ZrCl.sub.4 (0.22 g)
and the above lithium
2-Me-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide (0.5 g). The
slurry was stirred at r.t. for 21 h. The slurry was filtered and
the filtrates were concentrated to dryness. Hexane (25 mL) was
added and the yellow slurry was stirred at r.t. After 20 h at r.t.,
the slurry was filtered. The yellow solid was collected and dried
to give the product (0.43 g, two isomers in 1:1 ratio as suggested
by CH.sub.3--Ind groups).
.sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, C.sub.6D.sub.6) of two isomers in about 1:1
ratio: .quadrature..quadrature. 7.68-7.61 (m, 8H), 7.30-7.12 (m,
12H), 7.03 (s, 2H), 6.96 (s, 2H), 6.36 (s, 2H), 6.34 (s, 2H), 6.03
(s, 2H), 5.97 (s, 2H), 2.94-2.63 (m, 16H), 1.97 (s, 6H,
CH.sub.3--Ind of isomer 1), 1.88 (s, 6H, CH.sub.3--Ind of isomer
2), 1.80 (m, 4H), 1.70 (m, 4H).
Synthesis of
(Butyl-cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1--
yl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride (Catalyst E)
##STR00053##
(Butyl-cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-y-
l)zirconium(IV) Dichloride
To a solid mixture of (nBuCp)ZrCl.sub.3 (0.58 g) and lithium
4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide (containing 0.053 eq.
of Et2O and 0.25 eq. of hexane) (0.5 g) was added toluene (20 mL).
The orange slurry was stirred at r.t. After 19 h at r.t., the
mixture was concentrated to dryness. CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (25 mL) was
used to extract the product. CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 filtrates were
concentrated to dryness. The yellow solid was washed with hexane
(20 mL twice) and dried in vacuo to give crude product (0.66 g). To
this crude product was added CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (4 mL) and hexane (30
mL) and the yellow slurry was stirred at r.t. After 2 h, the slurry
was filtered. The precipitates were washed with hexane (10 mL
twice) and dried in vacuo. To the solid was added hexane (8 mL) and
the slurry was stirred at r.t. for 4 h. The mixture was
concentrated to dryness in vacuo to give the product (0.53 g).
.sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CD.sub.2Cl.sub.2): 7.50-7.38 (m, 6H), 6.65
(m, 1H), 6.55 (m, 1H), 6.34 (m, 1H), 6.05 (m, 1H), 6.03 (m, 1H),
5.98 (m, 2H), 3.11-2.95 (m, 3H), 2.77-2.70 (m, 1H), 2.41 (m, 2H),
2.16-2.07 (m, 1H), 2.00-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.44-1.36 (m, 2H), 1.30-1.21
(m, 2H), 0.86 (t, 3H).
Synthesis of Bis(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)
Zirconium(IV) Dichloride (Catalyst F)
##STR00054##
Lithium 4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide
To a stirring solution of 4-phenyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene
(1.916 g, 0.008 mol) in diethyl ether (20 mL), n-butyllithium (2.5M
solution in hexane, 3.3 mL, 0.008 mol) was added. The reaction was
stirred at room temperature for 65 minutes. Volatiles were removed
under a stream of nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue
was washed with hexane (10 mL) and diethyl ether (4.times.2 mL).
The residue was then concentrated under high vacuum to afford the
product as an off-white solid, containing diethyl ether (0.08 eq)
and hexane (0.03 eq) (1.203 g).
Bis(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl) Zirconium(IV)
Dichloride
A slurry of ZrCl.sub.4 (0.185 g) in toluene (20 mL) was added to
above lithium 4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide (0.4 g).
The orange slurry was stirred at r.t. After 20 h the mixture was
filtered. The toluene filtrates were concentrated to oily residue.
Hexane (20 mL) and toluene (4 mL) were added and the mixture was
stirred for 5 min and concentrated to dryness again. To the residue
was added hexane (25 mL) and the yellow slurry was stirred at r.t.
After 2 h, the precipitates were collected on a frit, washed with
hexane (10 mL) and dried in vacuo to give pale yellow solid (0.28
g, 1:1 isomer in about 1:1 ratio).
.sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, C.sub.6D.sub.6) of two isomers in about 1:1
ratio: .quadrature..quadrature. 7.43-7.17 (m, 24H), 6.35 (m, 2H),
6.22 (m, 4H), 6.00-5.96 (m, 4H), 5.60 (m, 2H), 2.89-2.48 (m, 16H),
1.80-1.70 (m, 4H), 1.65-1.51 (m, 4H).
Synthesis of
(1-Butyl-3-methylcyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s--
indacen-1-yl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride (Catalyst G)
##STR00055##
(1-Butyl-3-methylcyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-i-
ndacen-1-yl)zirconium(IV) Dichloride
To a stirring solution of
(1-butyl-3-methylcyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)zirconium(IV) trichloride
(0.733 g, 0.002 mol, as an adduct of 1,2-dimethoxyethane) in
diethyl ether (20 mL), lithium
4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide (0.456 g, 0.002 mol,
1.04 eq) was added with diethyl ether (20 mL). The reaction was
stirred at room temperature for 55 minutes. Then, dichloromethane
(30 mL) was added to improve solubility. The reaction was stirred
at room temperature for an additional 3.5 h. Volatiles were removed
under a stream of nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue
was extracted with dichloromethane (10 mL, then 5 mL) and filtered
over Celite. The combined dichloromethane extracts were
concentrated under a stream of nitrogen and then under high vacuum.
The dichloromethane extract was extracted with hexane. The hexane
extract was partially concentrated under a stream of nitrogen, and
the resulting suspension was cooled to -35.degree. C. The
precipitate was collected and concentrated under high vacuum to
afford the product as an orange-yellow solid (0.268 g, 30%, in a
ratio 1:1 diastereomers A and B). .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz,
CD.sub.2Cl.sub.2): .quadrature. 7.49-7.43 (m, 10H), 7.42-7.34 (m,
2H), 6.58-6.51 (m, 4H), 6.31-6.27 (m, 2H), 5.95-5.92 (m, 2H), 5.85
(t, 1H, J=2.7 Hz), 5.78 (s, 1H), 5.77 (s, 1H), 5.75 (t, 1H, J=2.6
Hz), 3.11-2.93 (m, 6H), 2.77-2.67 (m, 2H), 2.40-2.05 (m, 6H), 2.02
(s, 3H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 1.99-1.88 (m, 2H), 1.44-1.17 (m, 8H),
0.91-0.83 (m, 6H).
Synthesis of (4-bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)
(1-butyl-3-methylcyclopentadienyl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride
(Catalyst H)
##STR00056##
Tris(dimethylamino)(1-butyl-3-methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium(IV)
To a stirring solution of tetrakis(dimethylamino)zirconium(IV)
(1.020 g, 0.004 mol) in toluene (30 mL),
3-butyl-1-methylcyclopenta-1,3-diene (0.519 g, 0.004 mol, mixed
isomers) was added, washing with toluene (10 mL). The reaction was
stirred and heated to 90.degree. C. for 29.5 h. The reaction was
filtered over Celite and concentrated under high vacuum to afford
the product as an orange oil (1.102 g).
(1-Butyl-3-methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium(IV) Triichloride
To a stirring solution of
tris(dimethylamino)(1-butyl-3-methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium(IV)
(1.102 g, 0.003 mol) in toluene (20 mL), chlorotrimethylsilane (2.8
mL, 0.022 mol) was added. The reaction was stirred and heated to
45.degree. C. for 3 h. Then, 1,2-dimethoxyethane (3.2 mL, 0.031
mol) was added. The reaction was stirred and heated to 45.degree.
C. for 17 minutes. Volatiles were removed under reduced pressure to
afford the product as an orange oil as a 1,2-dimethoxyethane adduct
(1 eq) (1.294 g).
##STR00057##
(4-bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)(1-butyl-3-methylcyclo-
pentadienyl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride
To a precooled, stirring solution of lithium 4-bromo-2-methyl,
1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide (0.499 g, 0.002 mol) in diethyl
ether (50 mL), (1-butyl-3-methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium(IV)
chloride (as an adduct with 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 0.816 g, 0.002
mol) was added with diethyl ether (10 mL) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane
(5 mL). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 4 h.
Volatiles were removed under a stream of nitrogen and then under
high vacuum. The residue was extracted with dichloromethane and
filtered over Celite. The extract was concentrated under a stream
of nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue was extracted
with pentane. The pentane extract was concentrated under a stream
of nitrogen. The pentane extract was dissolved in pentane (5 mL)
and cooled to -35.degree. C., forming a yellow precipitate. The
pentane was decanted while cold, and the precipitate was
concentrated under high vacuum to afford the product as a yellow
solid (0.202 g, 19%, 1:1.6 ratio of isomers A and B); .sup.1H NMR
(400 MHz, CD.sub.2Cl.sub.2): .quadrature. 7.28 (m, 1H isomer A, 1H,
isomer B), 6.37 (m, 1H isomer A, 1H isomer B), 6.27-6.26 (m, 1H,
isomer B), 6.25 (m, 1H, isomer A), 5.95-5.90 (m, 2H isomer A, 2H
isomer B), 5.39-5.38 (m, 1H, isomer A), 5.38-5.36 (m, 1H, isomer
B), 3.09-2.89 (m, 4H from isomer A, 4H from isomer B), 2.48-2.22
(m, 2H from isomer A, 2H from isomer B), 2.30 (s, 3H from isomer A,
3H from isomer B), 2.17-2.04 (m, 2H from isomer A, 2H from isomer
B), 2.06 (s, 3H, isomer A), 2.02 (s, 3H, isomer B), 1.50-1.22 (m,
4H from isomer A, 4H from isomer B), 0.89 (t, 3H, J=7.2 Hz, isomer
B), 0.88 (t, 3H, J=7.1 Hz, isomer A).
Synthesis of
(4-Bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)(1-methyl-1H-inden-1--
yl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride (Catalyst I)
##STR00058##
1-Methyl-1H-indene
To a precooled, stirring solution of iodomethane (4.206 g, 0.030
mol) in diethyl ether (60 mL), lithium indenide (1.235 g) was added
in portions with diethyl ether (5 mL). The reaction was stirred at
room temperature for 4 h. Volatiles were removed under a stream of
nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue was extracted with
hexane (20 mL) and filtered over Celite. The extract was
concentrated under a stream of nitrogen and then under high vacuum.
The residue was again extracted with hexane (10 mL) and filtered
over Celite. The extract was concentrated under a stream of
nitrogen and then under high vacuum to afford a mixture of oil and
solid. The oil was filtered over Celite and concentrated under high
vacuum to afford the product as a clear, colorless oil (0.397
g).
A separate manifestation is as follows: To a precooled, stirring
solution of iodomethane (3.476 g, 0.024 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (90
mL), a precooled solution of lithium indenide (2.389 g, 0.020 mol)
in tetrahydrofuran (20 mL) was added. The reaction was stirred at
room temperature for 16.5 h. Volatiles were removed under a stream
of nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue was extracted
with hexane (40 mL) and filtered over Celite. The extract was
concentrated under a stream of nitrogen and then under high vacuum.
The residue was extracted again with hexane (10 mL) and filtered
over Celite. The extract was concentrated under a stream of
nitrogen and then under high vacuum to afford a mixture of oil and
solid. The oil was separated from the solid by pipette to afford
the product as a clear, colorless oil (0.972 g, mixture of
isomers).
Tris(dimethylamino)(1-methyl-1H-inden-1-yl)zirconium(IV)
To a stirring solution of 1-methyl-1H-indene (0.972 g, 0.007 mol)
in toluene (20 mL), tetrakis(dimethylamino)zirconium (1.997 g,
0.007 mol) was added with toluene (20 mL). The reaction was stirred
and heated to 90.degree. C. for 16 h. Volatiles were removed under
high vacuum. The residue was extracted with hexane (10 mL) and
filtered through a plastic fritted funnel. Volatiles were removed
from the filtrate under high vacuum to afford the product as a
viscous orange-red oil (2.284 g).
(1-Methyl-1H-inden-1-yl)zirconium(IV) Trichloride
To a stirring solution of
tris(dimethylamino)(1-methyl-1H-inden-1-yl)zirconium(IV) (2.284 g,
0.006 mol) in toluene (50 mL), chlorotrimethylsilane (4.8 mL, 0.038
mol) was added. The reaction was stirred and heated to 45.degree.
C. Then 1,2-dimethoxyethane (6.8 mL, 0.065 mol) was added. The
reaction was stirred and heated to 45.degree. C. for 22 h.
Volatiles were removed under high vacuum. Hexane (10 mL) was added
to the residue to facilitate precipitation and aid in toluene
removal, and volatiles were again removed under high vacuum to
afford the product as an orange solid as an adduct with
1,2-dimethoxyethane (1 eq), containing diethyl ether (0.08 eq) and
toluene (0.11 eq) (2.342 g).
##STR00059##
Lithium 4-bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide
To a stirring solution of 4-bromo-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene
(1.259 g, 0.005 mol) in diethyl ether (40 mL), n-butyllithium (2.5M
in hexanes, 2.1 mL, 0.005 mol, 1.04 eq) was added. The reaction was
stirred at room temperature for 43 minutes. Volatiles were removed
under a stream of nitrogen and then under high vacuum to afford the
product as a white solid, containing diethyl ether (0.06 eq) (1.337
g).
##STR00060##
(4-Bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)(1-methyl-1H-inden-1-y-
l)zirconium(IV) Dichloride
To a stirring suspension of lithium
4-bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide (0.928 g, 0.002
mol) in toluene (40 mL), (1-methyl-1H-inden-1-yl)zirconium(IV)
chloride (0.553 g, 0.002 mol, 1,2-dimethoxyethane (1 eq) adduct)
and toluene (10 mL) were added. The reaction was stirred at room
temperature for 18 h. The reaction was filtered over Celite.
Volatiles were removed from the filtrated under high vacuum. The
residue was washed with hexane and then extracted with
dichloromethane. The dichloromethane extract was concentrated under
a stream of nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue was
washed with cold (-35.degree. C.) dichloromethane and concentrated
to afford the product (0.278 g, 24%, 1:1 mixture of isomers);
.sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CD.sub.2Cl.sub.2): .quadrature. 7.55-7.46 (m,
3H), 7.40-7.36 (m, 1H), 7.33-7.29 (m, 1H), 7.27-7.17 (m, 5H), 6.32
(dd, 1H, J=3.1, 0.7 Hz), 6.30 (dt, 1H, J=2.5 Hz, 0.7 Hz), 6.26 (dd,
1H, J=2.5, 0.6 Hz), 6.24 (dd, 1H, J=2.5, 0.6 Hz), 6.23 (dd, 1H,
J=3.1, 0.9 Hz), 6.20 (ddd, 1H, J=2.5, 0.8, 0.6 Hz), 5.76 (dd, 1H,
J=3.0, 0.7 Hz), 5.59 (dd, 1H, J=3.0, 0.9 Hz), 3.12-2.93 (m, 8H),
2.37 (d, 3H, J=0.5 Hz), 2.28 (d, 3H, J=0.6 Hz), 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.17
(s, 3H), 2.17-2.04 (m, 4H).
Synthesis of
(2,4-Dimethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)
Zirconium(IV) Dichloride (Catalyst J)
##STR00061##
4,6-Dimethyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene
(The following procedure is modified from a similar procedure
described in J. Org. Chem., 1984, 49(22), 4226-4237.) To a stirring
solution of 4-bromo-6-methyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene (2.122
g, 0.009 mol) in diethyl ether (15 mL),
dichloro(1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane)nickel (0.046 g, 0.085
mmol, 0.01 eq) was added with diethyl ether (5 mL). Then,
methylmagnesium bromide (3.0M in diethyl ether, 2.9 mL, 0.009 mol,
1.02 eq) was added. The reaction was stirred and heated to reflux
for 22 h. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature. The
reaction was quenched with hydrochloric acid (16% in water) and
extracted with hexane (3.times.50 mL). The combined hexane extracts
were dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The dried
hexane extract was concentrated under a stream of nitrogen and then
under high vacuum to afford the product as a white solid (1.072
g).
Lithium 2,4-dimethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide
To a stirring solution of
4,6-dimethyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene (1.072 g, 0.006 mol) in
diethyl ether (30 mL), n-butyllithium (2.5M in hexanes, 2.4 mL,
0.006 mol, 1.03 eq) was added. The reaction was stirred at room
temperature for 72 minutes. Volatiles were removed under a stream
of nitrogen and then under high vacuum to give the product as a
white solid, containing diethyl ether (0.07 eq) (1.201 g).
##STR00062##
(2,4-Dimethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)z-
irconium(IV) Dichloride
To a stirring slurry of lithium
2,4-dimethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-ide (1.201 g, 0.006
mol) in toluene (40 mL), n-butylcyclopentadienylzirconium(IV)
chloride (1.958 g, 0.006 mol, 1 eq) was added with toluene (10 mL).
The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 22 h. The reaction
was filtered over Celite. The filtrate was concentrated under high
vacuum and heat (30.degree. C.). The residue was stirred in pentane
(10 mL) until the mixture became a bright yellow suspension. The
suspension was filtered over a frit, and the solid was washed
further with pentane (2.times.5 mL). The solid was collected and
concentrated under high vacuum to afford the product as a yellow
powder (1.843 g, 64%). .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, CD.sub.2Cl.sub.2):
.quadrature. 7.27 (dt, 1H, J=1.5, 0.7 Hz), 6.33 (dt, 1H, J=2.3, 0.8
Hz), 6.09 (dd, 1H, J=2.4, 0.6 Hz), 5.92-5.89 (m, 1H), 5.78-5.74 (m,
2H), 5.74-5.71 (m, 1H), 3.02-2.96 (m, 2H), 2.94-2.87 (m, 2H), 2.45
(dd, 2H, J=8.7, 6.8 Hz), 2.41 (d, 3H, J=0.9 Hz), 2.31 (d, 3H, J=0.6
Hz), 2.16-1.99 (m, 2H), 1.46-1.34 (m, 2H), 1.32-1.22 (m, 2H), 0.88
(t, 3H, J=7.3 Hz).
Synthesis of
(1-(2-Phenylpropyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(4-bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tet-
rahydro-s-indacenyl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride
##STR00063##
Tris(dimethylamino)(4-bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)zir-
conium(IV)
To a stirring solution of tetrakis(dimethylamino)zirconium (2.603
g, 0.010 mol) in toluene (20 mL),
4-bromo-6-methyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-s-indacene (2.424 g, 0.010 mol,
1 eq) was added with toluene (10 mL). The reaction was stirred and
heated to 90.degree. C. for 3 h. The reaction was allowed to cool
while volatiles were removed under high vacuum to afford the
product as an amber oil (4.531 g).
(4-Bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl)zirconium(IV)
Trichloride 1,2-dimethoxyethane Adduct
To a stirring solution of
tris(dimethylamino)(4-bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl)zirco-
nium(IV) (4.531 g, 0.010 mol) in toluene (40 mL),
chlorotrimethylsilane (8.5 mL, 0.067 mol, 6.97 eq) was added. The
reaction was stirred and heated to 45.degree. C. for 3 h. Then,
1,2-dimethoxyethane (10 mL, 0.096 mol, 10.01 eq) was added. The
reaction was stirred and heated at 45.degree. C. for 4.5 h.
Volatiles were removed under high vacuum and heat (45.degree. C.)
to give a brown oil. The oil was stirred in pentane (20 mL),
leading to the precipitation of a yellow solid. The solid was
concentrated under high vacuum to afford the product as a yellow
solid containing toluene (0.11 eq) and pentane (0.05 eq) (4.939
g).
##STR00064##
(1-(Cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)propan-2-yl)benzene
To a precooled, stirring solution of (1-bromopropan-2-yl)benzene
(1.049 g, 0.005 mol, 1 eq) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL), a precooled
solution of lithium cyclopentadienide (0.380 g, 0.005 mol) in
tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) was added. The reaction was stirred and
heated to 60.degree. C. for 15 h. Volatiles were removed under a
stream of nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue was
extracted with pentane (2.times.10 mL) and filtered over Celite.
The combined pentane extracts were concentrated under a stream of
nitrogen and then under high vacuum to afford the product as a
mixture with unidentified impurities (0.955 g). The product was
used without further purification.
Lithium 1-(2-phenylpropyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-ide
To a precooled, stirring solution of
(1-(cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)propan-2-yl)benzene (0.955, 0.005 mol)
in diethyl ether (30 mL), n-butyllithium (2.5M in hexanes, 2.1 mL,
0.005 mol, 1.01 eq) was added. The reaction was stirred at room
temperature for 1 h. Volatiles were removed under a stream of
nitrogen and then under high vacuum. The residue was washed with a
mixture of hexane (10 mL) and pentane (10 mL) and then concentrated
under high vacuum to afford a red-orange foam as a mixture of the
product with an unknown impurity (0.535 g).
##STR00065##
(1-(2-Phenylpropyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)(4-bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetr-
ahydro-s-indacenyl)zirconium(IV) Dichloride
To a stirring suspension of
(4-bromo-2-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl)zirconium(IV)
chloride (as an adduct with 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 0.392 g, 0.713
mmol) in toluene (10 mL), lithium
1-(2-phenylpropyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-ide (0.142 g, 0.747 mmol,
1.05 eq) was added with toluene (10 mL). The reaction was stirred
at room temperature for 18.5 h. The reaction was filtered over
Celite. The toluene extract was concentrated under high vacuum with
heat (30.degree. C.). The residue was stirred in hexane (10 mL).
The resulting suspension was concentrated under high vacuum to give
a yellow solid. The solid was washed with hexane and concentrated
under high vacuum to afford the product as a yellow solid,
containing diethyl ether (0.03 eq) and hexane (0.14 eq) (0.313 g,
72%, 1:1.1 ratio of diastereomers). .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz,
C.sub.6D.sub.6): .quadrature. 7.29-7.20 (m, 6H), 7.18-7.12 (m, 2H),
7.11-7.05 (m, 4H), 6.40-6.35 (m, 2H), 6.22-6.18 (m, 2H), 6.05 (dt,
1H, J=3.1, 2.3 Hz), 6.02 (td, 1H, J=3.1, 2.3 Hz), 5.95 (td, 1H,
J=3.1, 2.3 Hz), 5.85 (q, 1H, J=2.6 Hz), 5.78-5.74 (m, 2H), 5.69
(td, 1H, J=3.1, 2.3 Hz), 5.52 (dt, 1H, J=3.1, 2.3 Hz), 3.08-2.94
(m, 8H), 2.90-2.79 (m, 2H), 2.79-2.63 (m, 4H), 2.29 (d, 3H, J=0.7
Hz), 2.28 (d, 3H, J=0.5 Hz), 2.15-2.03 (m, 4H), 1.22 (d, 3H, J=6.9
Hz), 1.21 (d, 3H, J=6.9 Hz).
Synthesis of
(4-(3,5-Di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-1H-inden-1-yl)(n-butylcyc-
lpentadienyl) Zirconium(IV) Dichloride (Catalyst CC3)
##STR00066##
Lithium
4-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-1H-inden-1-ide
To a stirring solution of
4-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-1H-indene (0.502 g,
0.001 mol) in diethyl ether (20 mL), n-butyllithium (2.5M in
hexanes, 0.6 mL, 0.002 mol, 1.04 eq) was added. The reaction was
stirred at room temperature for 51 minutes. Volatiles were removed
under a stream of nitrogen and then under high vacuum to afford the
product as a yellow foam, containing diethyl ether (0.34 eq) and
pentane (0.07 eq) (0.551 g). Note: Addition of pentane to the foam
generates a gel.
##STR00067##
(4-(3,5-Di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-1H-inden-1-yl)(n-butylcycl-
pentadienyl)zirconium(IV) Dichloride
To a precooled, stirring suspension of
n-butylcyclopentadienylzirconium(IV) chloride (0.904 g, 2.8 mmol)
in diethyl ether (10 mL), a precooled solution of lithium
4-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-1H-inden-1-ide
(1.016 g, 2.9 mmol, 1.01 equiv) in diethyl ether (10 mL) was added
over the course of 5 minutes. The reaction was stirred at room
temperature for 17 h. The reaction was filtered over Celite and
washed with diethyl ether (10 mL). The combined diethyl ether
extracts were concentrated under a stream of nitrogen and then
under high vacuum. The residue was extracted with hexane. The
hexane extract began to precipitate yellow solid, so the
supernatant was removed, and the yellow precipitate was washed once
more with hexane to afford the product as a yellow solid (0.488 g,
27%). .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, C.sub.6D.sub.6): .quadrature. 7.85 (s,
2H), 7.26 (dd, 1H, J=7.0, 0.9 Hz), 7.19 (dt, 1H, J=8.5, 0.9 Hz),
6.94 (dd, 1H, J=8.5, 6.9 Hz), 6.63 (dt, 1H, J=2.3, 0.8 Hz), 6.09
(dd, 1H, J=2.3, 0.6 Hz), 5.86-5.81 (m, 1H), 5.77 (dt, 1H, J=2.8,
2.3 Hz), 5.58 (ddd, 2H, J=3.0, 2.4, 0.6 Hz), 3.42 (s, 3H),
2.61-2.54 (m, 2H), 2.16 (d, 3H, J=0.6 Hz), 1.54 (s, 18H), 1.39-1.28
(m, 2H), 1.19-1.07 (m, 2H), 0.77 (t, 3H, J=7.3 Hz).
General Supportation Procedure
For Supported Catalysts A-J and CC3:
Methylalumoxane treated silica (SMAO) prepared as follows.
In a 4 L stirred vessel in the drybox methylaluminoxane (MAO) (30
wt % in toluene) was added along with 2400 g of toluene. This
solution was then stirred at 60 RPM for 5 minutes. Next, ES-70.TM.
silica (PQ Corporation, Conshohocken, Pa.) that had been calcined
at 875.degree. C. was added to the vessel. This slurry was heated
at 100.degree. C. and stirred at 120 RPM for 3 hours. The
temperature was then lowered to 25.degree. C. and cooled to
temperature over 2 hours. Once cooled, the vessel was set to 8 RPM
and placed under vacuum for 72 hours. After emptying the vessel and
sieving the supported MAO, 1079 g was collected.
For each sample, the desired amount of catalyst (typically, 40 mol
catalyst/g SMAO) was transferred to a 20 mL glass vial. Then,
toluene (about 3 g) was added. Finally, SMAO (0.5 g) was added. The
contents of the vial were mixed (60-90 minutes) on a shaker. The
contents of the vial were allowed to settle. The supernatant was
decanted into solvent waste. If necessary, the remnants of each
vial were stored in a freezer (-35.degree. C.) until needed.
The vials were uncapped and loaded into the sample trays in a
SpeedVac.TM.. The SpeedVac was set to run at 45.degree. C. for 45
min at 0.1 vacuum setting and run for 2-3 h. Once complete, the
vials were removed, and the powder contents of each vial were
poured into a separate pre-weighed 4 mL vial. The vials were
capped, sealed with electrical tape, and stored in the dry box
freezer for future use.
For Supported Catalysts CC2 and CC1:
Supported CC2 was made according to the general procedures
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,179,876 using (nPrCp).sub.2HfMe.sub.2
and SMAO. Supported CC1 was a supported catalyst made in a manner
analogous to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,736 using the
(1-Me-3-.sup.nBuCp).sub.2ZrCl.sub.2 metallocene and Silica 948 from
Grace Davison.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 High Throughput Ethylene Polymerization and
Ethylene 1-Hexene Copolymerization Using Supported Catalysts.
Conditions: 0.3 mg supported catalysts, isohexane solvent, total
volume = 5 mL. Polymerization temperature (T.sub.p) = 85.degree.
C., 130 psi ethylene. Mw Mn Mw/Mn Activity C6 C6 (Rapid (Rapid
(Rapid Tm time yield (g pol/g C6 wt % Ex Cat (.mu.L) wt % GPC) GPC)
GPC) (.degree. C.) (s) (g) cat. h) (average) 1 A 0 0.0 426622
163455 2.6 136.2 2352 0.0799 408 2 A 60 2.2 423311 111597 3.8 126.2
2701 0.0557 248 2.1 3 A 60 2.1 404009 100176 4.0 126.1 2626 0.0592
271 4 A 180 6.9 384674 74611 5.2 121.0 2700 0.0572 255 7.0 5 A 180
7.2 369674 86529 4.3 121.0 2700 0.058 258 6 A 240 8.5 336660 64160
5.2 120.2 2700 0.0462 206 7 B 0 0.0 687732 236999 2.9 135.4 2700
0.0377 168 8 B 60 2.6 465078 134933 3.4 124.9 2701 0.0382 170 3.1 9
B 60 3.7 453757 142610 3.2 124.6 1567 0.0346 266 10 B 180 8.1
358407 83817 4.3 119.8 2701 0.0375 167 8.2 11 B 180 8.3 332710
83717 4.0 119.3 2701 0.0568 253 12 B 240 7.1 344106 103126 3.3
119.7 373 0.0117 377 13 C 0 0.0 583344 224821 2.6 136.0 2217 0.0769
417 14 C 60 1.3 445546 182727 2.4 124.8 1107 0.0893 970 1.2 15 C 60
1.2 479329 227249 2.1 125.3 1302 0.0925 854 16 C 180 5.4 482654
196787 2.5 118.6 812 0.0915 1355 17 D 0 0.0 968511 312564 3.1 136.0
2700 0.0297 132 18 D 60 1.2 564983 117777 4.8 128.9 2700 0.0189 84
1.4 19 D 60 1.5 487107 95000 5.1 129.0 2700 0.0147 65 20 D 180 5.1
287901 54249 5.3 125.6 2701 0.0133 59 4.9 21 D 180 4.7 302986 43449
7.0 125.9 2700 0.0124 55 22 D 240 8.0 226490 45617 5.0 124.8 2701
0.0128 57 23 E 60 1.1 299064 128491 2.3 126.4 905 0.0942 1252 24 E
180 4.3 241971 105803 2.3 121.0 604 0.0842 1675 25 E 240 5.7 264409
111304 2.4 119.9 621 0.0904 1749 26 F 0 0.0 428516 167606 2.6 135.4
1344 0.0505 452 27 F 60 3.9 185128 64554 2.9 124.6 1084 0.0953 1057
28 F 180 10.8 110594 29869 3.7 123.9 1008 0.1001 1194 29 F 360 16.4
86061 19557 4.4 123.3 1906 0.1034 652 30 G 0 0.0 417814 176183 2.4
135.6 1775 0.093 630 31 G 60 1.2 263121 112249 2.3 127.4 1003
0.0926 1111 32 G 180 3.9 218262 95571 2.3 122.3 572 0.0915 1922 33
G 240 7.4 214764 95499 2.2 121.0 648 0.0946 1756 34 G 300 6.8
220701 87682 2.5 120.2 712 0.0964 1628 35 G 360 7.0 213721 76312
2.8 118.7 808 0.0929 1382 36 H 0 0.0 589888 251618 2.3 135.0 2700
0.0607 270 37 H 60 1.7 568097 276972 2.1 125.3 2125 0.0909 514 38 H
60 1.7 550956 250382 2.2 123.9 1481 0.072 585 39 H 180 4.4 503492
204440 2.5 118.2 1541 0.0884 690 40 H 180 3.7 525829 178466 2.9
117.6 1443 0.0958 799 41 H 240 5.8 498614 156738 3.2 116.1 2312
0.1026 534 42 I 0 0.0 420289 195580 2.1 135.5 2701 0.0534 238 43 I
60 0.5 383019 192493 2.0 128.6 2660 0.0755 341 44 I 60 0.8 376204
188895 2.0 128.9 2701 0.0782 348 45 I 180 3.1 358830 151378 2.4
124.3 2702 0.0812 361 46 I 180 3.6 357563 144073 2.5 123.3 2700
0.0842 375 47 I 240 4.6 329911 122096 2.7 122.2 2701 0.0832 370 48
J 0 0.0 615164 207577 3.0 135.9 2701 0.0796 354 49 J 60 3.5 491589
145723 3.4 126.3 2275 0.0907 479 50 J 180 7.7 376094 77214 4.9
121.3 1649 0.0555 405 51 CC1 0 0.0 595381 264421 2.3 136.4 2498
0.0887 427 52 CC1 60 2.1 482338 223939 2.2 125.4 1386 0.0928 805
2.2 53 CC1 60 2.4 462870 218017 2.1 125.6 1332 0.0905 817 54 CC1
180 5.6 505142 252255 2.0 117.9 1001 0.0963 1157 5.6 55 CC1 180 5.7
546395 289367 1.9 117.9 927 0.0975 1265 56 CC1 240 6.8 588707
305332 1.9 115.8 871 0.0961 1327 6.5 57 CC1 240 6.1 533791 288487
1.9 114.6 803 0.0995 1489 58 CC2 0 0.0 1353958 659383 2.1 136.5 532
0.0948 2144 0.0 59 CC2 60 4.2 1231134 535748 2.3 120.0 605 0.0986
1960 4.1 60 CC2 60 4.1 1266190 609847 2.1 120.0 604 0.0906 1805 61
CC2 180 9.9 1657034 732820 2.3 108.6 1165 0.0961 992 9.7 62 CC2 180
9.5 1748845 752980 2.3 108.8 922 0.098 1279 63 CC2 240 11.9 1681855
768666 2.2 109.2 2701 0.0749 333 64 CC3 0 0.0 490897 244083 2.0
135.4 2700 0.0683 304 0.0 65 CC3 60 2.8 413364 176824 2.3 123.9
1076 0.0861 962 2.9 66 CC3 60 3.0 410065 198910 2.1 124.2 1243
0.0905 875 67 CC3 180 5.2 434486 206429 2.1 117.4 927 0.0945
1226
As illustrated in FIG. 1, catalyst systems with unsymmetrical
unbridged metallocene catalyst compounds A, B and J, featuring a
combination of 4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl or
4-methyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl fragment and a Cp ligand,
produced polyethylene with much broader MWD than the polyethylene
made from catalyst systems with comparative catalyst systems with
compounds CC1 and CC2 at similar C6 wt %. Replacing the
2-Me-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl ligand in A with a
2-Me-4-(3',5'-di.sup.tBu-4'-MeO-phenyl) indenyl group (catalyst
compound CC3), led to PE with narrower MWD (vs. A) under similar
polymerization conditions. Furthermore, replacing the 4-Ph
substituent in A with a smaller 4-Br group (catalyst compound C),
reduced PE MWD as well (vs. A). As shown in FIG. 2, symmetrical
unbridged metallocene
bis(2-Me-4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl)ZrCl.sub.2 (D) and
bis(4-phenyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacenyl)ZrCl.sub.2 (F) also
produced polyethylene with much broader Mw/Mn in comparison to
polyethylene from symmetrical unbridged metallocene CC1 and CC2.
Note that under similar conditions, catalyst systems with
metallocene catalyst compounds A, B, C, D, F and J showed
comparable or better 1-hexene incorporation capabilities than
comparative catalyst systems with compound CC1 (FIG. 3).
In addition, polymers made in Ex. 25, 28, 33, 50 and 57 have been
further analyzed by GPC-4D. Polymers made by inventive catalysts E,
F, G, and J not only have higher Mw/Mn vs. comparative catalyst
CC1, but more importantly show different types of comonomer
distribution than polymers from CC1 (see FIG. 4, e.g., polymers
from CC1 have similar C6 wt % at various Log M, while polymers from
E, F, G and J generally show decreasing C6 wt % at increasing Log
M).
TABLE-US-00003 C6 Mw (GPC-4D) Ex. Cat. (.mu.L) kg/mol Mw/Mn
(GPC-4D) 25 E 240 114 3.3 28 F 180 37 3.5 33 G 240 98 3.2 50 J 180
158 6.7 57 CC1 240 226 2.7
Overall, catalyst systems of the present disclosure can provide
either broader (e.g., higher) Mw/Mn (for better processability),
altered polymer properties (e.g. Mw, comonomer incorporation) or
altered comonomer distribution. Catalyst systems and processes of
the present disclosure could potentially provide ethylene polymers
having the unique properties of good processability, high stiffness
etc.
All documents described herein are incorporated by reference
herein, including any priority documents and/or testing procedures
to the extent they are not inconsistent with this text. As is
apparent from the foregoing general description and the specific
embodiments, while forms of the embodiments have been illustrated
and described, various modifications can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly,
it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited thereby.
Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the
term "including." Likewise whenever a composition, an element or a
group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase
"comprising," it is understood that we also contemplate the same
composition or group of elements with transitional phrases
"consisting essentially of," "consisting of," "selected from the
group of consisting of," and the terms "comprising," "consisting
essentially of," "consisting of" also include the product of the
combinations of elements listed after the term.
* * * * *